ESU Computer Science Organization raises more than $2,000 to help hospitals around the globe

Paige Maute

Posted by: admin on December 2, 2020, No Comments

Members of East Stroudsburg University’s Computer Science Student Organization raised $2,147 by participating in Extra Life, a 24-hour live stream video-playing event intended to raise funds for hospitals around the world. According to the organization’s president, Paige Maute, a sophomore computer science major from Mountain Lakes, N.J., more than a dozen ESU students participated in the event that occurred from 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 through 9 a.m. on Sunday, November 15.

Funds were raised through donations as the students played video games that included Among Us, Gmod, Super Smash Bros., Phasmophobia and more.

Extra Life is an organization that unites thousands of gamers around the world to play games in support of their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Since its inception in 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $70 million for sick and injured children.

Members participated in a number of different ways. Along with Maute, four students in particular took on leadership roles – William Youse, a sophomore computer science major from Quakertown, Pa. and the CSO project manager; Rafal Puk, a sophomore computer science major from Mount Pocono, Pa.; Alex Mansfield, a freshman computer security major from Conshohocken, Pa.; and Katrina Stenger, a senior integrated art + design major from Stroudsburg, Pa. and the CSO secretary, who created all of the group’s graphics. “There were four streamers who ran certain time blocks, with other members playing with them, to help make the stream in the image of the club,” said Maute. Members also fundraised with their accounts on Facebook and watched the stream to provide moral support.

The organization had a roster on the Extra Life team page and participated in Facebook fundraisers so their friends and families could support them, beginning a few days prior and continuing through the 24-hour stream. Mansfield also held a 12-hour stream on his own channel to raise funds. The group had already raised more than $1,250 before the 24-hour event started. “We really tried to hype this stream up this year and the big milestone was if we hit our goal of $2,000, I would dye my hair the color of the chat’s choosing,” said Maute. “They all started chanting/saying #greenpaige in the chat and I did in fact dye my hair green! Each streamer had their own milestones and some ideas from other members, also, which made donations more exciting for both the participants and the audience.”

The Computer Science Student Organization began participating in Extra Life last year, and built on that foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic this fall. They plan to continue participating in future years to raise more funds. For more information on Extra Life, visit www.extra-life.org.