LEWISTON — Lewiston Regional Technical Center students will participate in a gaming marathon Saturday to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which includes the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland.
The marathon is part of a national effort called Extra Life, which started in 2008 and unites thousands of players around the world. LRTC students will start the games at 8 a.m. Saturday and finish at 8 a.m. Sunday.
Normally that’s 24 hours. But this year’s marathon happens when daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, so the games will go on for 25 hours.
“Lots of coffee,” instructor Nate Jalbert said with a laugh when asked how he and students will stay awake.
This is the first time Lewiston students are participating. Most students will play video games, but some will play card and board games. Students will bring their consoles and personal computers. “They’ll be here all day and all night,” Jalbert said.
Students have been getting pledges. As of Thursday they’ve raised $1,400.
Evelyn Bilodeau, 16, an Edward Little High School student studying engineering, is taking part. “I like the whole charity thing,” she said. “I have friends going to Barbara Bush, my uncle’s had cancer. Anything I can do to help. Plus it’s friendly competition.”
“I don’t do video games,” she said. She’ll be playing Dr. Who Monopoly. “I’ll probably have to play several games,” she said. “It should be fun.”
Derek Faile, 16, a Lewiston High School student, will play Fallout-4 and other online video games.
Anthony Holt and Ryan Handlon, 16, plan to play League of Legends. “It’s a good cause,” Holt said.
Students hope to play online Saturday with Barbara Bush patients in Portland.
Jalbert, who organized the event, has experience in all-night gaming.
When he was in high school,”we had LAN parties. We’d bring our monitors and build a little network in someone’s living room or basement. We were there all night.”
He found out about the event last year and brought it to his school. “One of my relatives was treated at Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital. I have a personal connection.”
To see the team page and donate or get more information, go to: http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=30245
The marathon will be livestreamed on LRTC website at https://www.facebook.com/LewistonRegionalTechCenter/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf
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