Shenandoah Esports Breaks Fundraising Record For Children’s Hospital Charity
The Shenandoah University Esports Program Raised $4,000 For Gamers Outreach
By Jace Gibson ’26
In November, Shenandoah University Esports hosted its annual 72-hour charity stream, Gauntlet for Good, during which they raised $4,000 for Gamers Outreach, breaking the previous record of $2,565.
Gauntlet for Good was always our way to get a group together and just have some fun playing Call of Duty for the weekend, all the while raising some money for a good cause. This year we were given the opportunity to take over the Esports Arena for the full weekend, and it was a massive success. We had incredible participation from the program, and even saw some alumni come back to campus just to play in-person with us. Gauntlet for Good has definitely become one of the staples of the program every year, and really helps bring us all together in a unique way.”
Chris Clayton ’25, senior Business Administration in Sports Management and Esports
Gamers Outreach is a “for-purpose organization helping to restore a sense of joy and normalcy in the lives of hospitalized children,” according to its website. Through equipment and software, the organization bring smiles to the faces of thousands of children nationwide. Shenandoah Esports has supported Gamers Outreach through this event annually for over five years, and this year marks a new record for fundraising.
Shenandoah Esports’ Gauntlet for Good Charity Stream originally started as two separate events – the Call of Duty Charity Stream started by Chris Scroggins in 2019 and a student project created by Dawson Golove in 2021 also called Gauntlet for Good. The event has since evolved to combine the two into a three-day charity stream shown live on Twitch following the annual release of a new Call of Duty title.
The event combines gameplay with a series of humorous incentives geared towards raising money for a dedicated cause each year. This year’s event planned incentives for certain dollar amounts donated to the charity, with some highlights including a hot wings challenge, karaoke, faculty and students getting pied in the face, and even shaving the head of Ian Burnett ’24, coordinator of esports production. Alumni John Schone ’24, Vitali Rivera ’24 and Brennin Moss ’24 also came back to star in the show.
For more information on Gamers Outreach, visit gamersoutreach.org.
