GameLit Society Philanthropy 2020

Hi!  My name is Blaise Corvin, a full time science fiction and fantasy author.  The series I'm probably best known for writing is Delvers LLC.

 

In 2016, I started a Facebook group for one of the genres that I write in (Gamelit).  Back then it was called the LitRPG Society.  Now it's the GameLit Society, and we are (holy crap) almost 9,400 members strong!  I do not run nor mod the group anymore, but I'm still super proud of the community.

One reason for my pride is our yearly philanthropy.  Every year, I start a charity drive for Shriners Hospitals for Children .   

Last year, we raised $4500 for sick kids.  The link to the original post in the GameLit Society group can be found here: link to 2019 drive 

Every year, I also take a screenshot (sometimes more than one) of the contribution for transparency (last year's post link ), and so we have a record of who the donation is made in honor of. 

This year we will be donating to Shriners in memory of Paul Campbell Jr., a well-known member of the GameLit and LitRPG community.  He was just beginning to start writing, with several books published.

Paul left a little daughter behind and I know for a fact that he supported this yearly Shriners philanthropy, so this is an appropriate dedication.  In fact, from this year forward, we will be honoring our fallen brothers and sisters in the main post like this so they will never be forgotten.

Paul's obituary 

In the past we have also donated in memory of Brenth Roth and Tom Shutt.

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The GameLit Society philanthropy has all been decided through voting, almost every aspect of it.  This is yet another reason I'm proud of the community.

For those who don't know, Shriner's Hospitals for Children is dedicated to helping sick kids.  It's really that simple.  They use cutting edge technology to battle illnesses and other medical issues, sometimes for kids whose families wouldn't otherwise have money for treatment.  This is one reason why donating is so important.

Every time we do this charity drive, there are people in the group who comment about how their lives were directly touched by Shriners.  I truly believe this is one of the most important, valuable things I will have contributed to in my life.

It's worth mentioning that I wasn't sure about whether it would be received poorly to do a charity drive in 2020, but the community spoke overwhelmingly in favor of going ahead with it ...so here we are.

Anyone who follows me knows that I'm a huge geek, kind of a dork, and I can be prickly at times.  However, this is serious.  Every time I get on the Shriners site I see stuff that simultaneously makes me feel hopeful for humanity...and slays me.

This little boy's mom makes his braces look like superhero outfits to keep the experience positive.

 

This little girl's care has probably cost more money than I will make in my lifetime:

Catlynn's story link .

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I feel honored that I can do this charity drive every year, and that people trust me enough not to just take the money and run.  It may be a little crass to just come out and say this, but I think it bears mentioning.

Thank you for donating this year.  And if you can't give, if 2020 has done a spinning back kick to your life, I think it's still meaningful that you care and wish you could.  It's my belief that as long as we care, and as long as we are mindful of the ways we are all blessed, our species will continue to have hope.

Thank you,

-BC