09-01-2023, 11:29 AM
(This post was last modified: 09-06-2023, 08:56 AM by DarknessRising. Edited 6 times in total.)
ONCE AGAIN CHARITY IS HERE IN THE ISFL
Introduction
Welcome everyone viewing this, both from our community and all other sim leagues checking this out as part of a cross-league charity event. I am privileged once again to be able to organize and run the charity event for the league. What we are able to accomplish when we come together is extraordinary. Our last 4 charities drives (S24 for The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, S28 for Children’s Organ Transplant Association, S32 for Cancer Research Institute, and S38 for both UNICEF work with Ukraine during its war and Hurricane Ian relief) have totalled $9,864.26 raised. It is truly amazing seeing people utilize their talents to create unique items for charity auctions and purchasing as well as the support the entire league and sim-league community puts behind giving back to others in need and organizations focused on helping those in their darkest times.
This time, the participating sim leagues, ISFL, PBE, SHL and UCBA will all be performing charity drives for their own causes instead of all raising money for the same cause. This is as a result of each league having strong reasons to pick their respective charities, and an understanding that this allows more charities to benefit from our efforts of fundraising. At the end of this piece, you can find some information on which charities the other three leagues have selected, the work they do and why they were selected by them.
Who Are We Supporting?
Just like the S38 charity drive, the S43 charity drive will consist of two worthy causes that people can donate to either or split their donations between both. They are as follows:
Tylus' Cancer Fight
Tylus was a user who created their player in S23, who has recently been diagnosed with a Grade IV Astrocytoma in the temporal region brain tumor. The recovery journey is long and hard, and he has already had some successful open-skull surgery whilst now he starts a long road of radiation and chemotherapy. With his permission, I along with HO want to help ease the worries of a fantastic and inspiring user, by having our charity drive dedicated to helping him raise funds so he can focus on fighting the illness.
Speaking personally here, Tylus was the user I was closest to in this league for my first few seasons, and he could never have a bad word spoken about him. He won DSFL MDM during S22, and was a large face and presence in the league that was a friend to all. He created and helped run a large games server, akin to the game nights we see popup in the league, that people all over the league would have countless memories of playing games for the entire day. I vividly remember staying up all night playing Among Us and still cherish those memories. Hearing the news of his condition devastated me more than I could have imagined, so it feels so incredibly good to know on the other side of the world from him, I can be of some little help and use to him in his situation. He is extremely deserving of this no matter how many times he will say he cannot believe we would do this for him, and I'm sure during this charity event you may see him pop up in general servers from time to time to express his gratitude. He did give me this message to pass along for the announcement:
Nobody has to feel obligated in any way to donate and the fact that you all are doing this for me and even CONSIDERING donating at all is more than I could ever ask for, and incredibly unbelievably kind, and I am more thankful and grateful than I can ever express with words. I literally don't even know what to say. This all has been very very taxing in many many ways on my family and anything donated will be used to lessen the burden this and I have placed on us(mostly them, every cent will go to the people in my life who've made sacrifices to support me during such a tough time(whether it be gas for all of the rides to the hospital, new clothes, food/groceries, even supplements and vitamins and other things like that. Even just the time spent watching over me and spending time with me. I am incredibly lucky to have the support system that I have, not everyone can say the same. Heck, I am incredibly lucky to have been a part of, and gotten to know the people in the league. Again, thank you so much for even the kind words I have received from some of y'all. That alone is more than I could ever expect from anyone, let alone that you would consider me for the charity drive this season, it's just incredible and truly makes me feel blessed. Thank you so very much.
To find out more information, you can go to the GoFundMe page his brother created for more details on this cause, this will also be the site used for donations - https://gofund.me/77258da4
Direct Relief: Maui Wildfires Response
Alternatively, we knew some users may feel uncomfortable donating directly to a user that many may not know of, and with such a topical and catastrophic event, it only made sense to show our support to the people of Maui. It is reported as the deadliest US wildfire in over 100 years, and currently has unfortunately taken the lives of 93 people. As many as 4,500 people are in need of shelter and food that we as a league could greatly help support in a desperate time of need. Direct Relief is a top-rated humanitarian charity that works in both US and international emergency situations. and are actively addressing the pressing medical needs of these evacuees and aiding search and rescue operations through-out Maui. Donations will support their efforts in supplying medical equipment and necessities
Donations will be done through a ISFL Tiltify, which anyone familiar with our old charity drives will remember as the usual donation site used. When ready I will post a link here.
To find out more information on how Direct Relief plans to aid those in need, you can go through the following site - https://www.directrelief.org/2023/08/dir...ies%20with
How does the Charity Drive Work?
Like all past seasons, users will be able to submit items to be milestones, perks or auctions that users can buy/bid on with donations to charity. When we reach certain thresholds of money raised as a league, milestones with rewards will be enacted. Previous seasons, milestones have included users doing funny and embarrassing things on video like putting peanut butter all over their face (looking at you infi) whilst perks and auctions can be individual ideas, done by a group of friends, team or a department. Below I will link previous charity drive spreadsheets to give you examples and inspiration as to what you may want to put up yourself. If you have an idea or are unsure and want to talk about any potential idea for an auction, perk or milestone, preferably message me on discord (darknessrising) or message me on forums or even reply to this thread to get my attention (a ping will help that).
S24 Charity Drive - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...1463601621
S28 Chartiy Drive - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing
S32 Charity Drive - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing
S38 Charity Drive - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1...sp=sharing
That is it for now, be on the lookout for the creation of the S43 Charity section ( Announcements > Head Office Announcements > Charity Drives) that will be the hub for all things of this drive, including sections for the auctions and perks, the home of the charity spreadsheet, the instructions and guides on how to donate and any other updates from me. Any questions can always be asked to me, or any other members who have been around for a while, as the drive follows the same system they may also be able to help you quickly. This post will also be moved there soon after it's created.
Timeline
The charity drive will last for 2 weeks commencing Monday the 11th of September. Until then, people who have things they wish to put up for auction or sale as perks, can message me to add it to the list. On the 11th when the charity drive starts, the auctions and perks will be opened up for bidding/purchasing respectively. This means they will end on Sunday the 24th of September, so don't risk losing out on some cool opportunities and importantly doing good for the league.
With this timeline, it means there is about a week to build a comprehensive list of items to auction/sell. The more items, the more likely a person will be interested in something and raises more money as a league. Come 11th of September, ideas can still be sent and added, for about a week to allow enough time for auctions and perks to be available to everyone who wants to wait and see if anything more interesting pops up.
I hope everyone gets in the giving mood, whether that be with items, kindness or engagement. Of course donations are welcomed but not everyone has the ability to and there is absolutely no need to, so ensure you donate only if you are able to afford to.
PBE (Pro Baseball Experience) - Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)
Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) is a charity organization that seeks to raise funds to pay for translational cancer research. Translational cancer research uses the results of laboratory research to find new ways to treat and diagnose cancer. In short, SU2C seeks to bridge the gap between research and helping people. SU2C is deeply related to the entertainment industry, which allows SU2C to raise awareness on cancer prevention and treatment.
As baseball fans, you probably recognize SU2C from the emotional moments during the All-Star Game and World Series, where entire stadium stands and holds up signs featuring the name of a loved one that had fought, or is fighting, cancer. This is because SU2C strives to raise awareness that everyone has some connection to cancer personally, whether they have experienced it or have loved ones that have experienced it.
SHL (Simulation Hockey League) - Trans Lifeline
To put it bluntly, this year has been absolute garbage for trans communities. Anti-trans rhetoric seems`and feels louder than ever worldwide, and in the United States there has been a terrifyingly massive surge in anti-trans legislation. These bills range from denying transgender folks access to things like healthcare, education, and sports, and even go so far as to try taking away the right to openly exist as a trans kid. 2023 has already reached the point where there are more bills targeting transgender people this year than in the last five years combined.
For this charity event, we have chosen to support Trans Lifeline (translifeline.org). As a community that is committed to being a safe space in a (simulation) sport whose real life counterpart isn't nearly as inclusive and welcoming as it should be, it is important for us to reiterate that once again. Run by trans people, for trans people, Trans Lifeline serves the US and Canada in English and Spanish, providing support and microgrants to the trans community since 2014. They have seen an unprecedented rise in demand for their services, and we aim to support them in their endeavour from our little corner of the internet.
UCBA (Unnamed Casual Basketball Association) - Feeding America
Feeding America is the largest charity working to end hunger in the United States. By partnering with food banks, high-profile businesses, and other donors, they are able to provide billions of meals to tens of millions of people each year. Food scarcity is an issue for people across the country and the world, and is made even more pronounced during natural disasters like the current wildfires in Maui. It hits close to home because it is something experienced in every county in every state in the country. The charity works to ensure at least 10 meals are given for every dollar donated, making this a high impact choice for our charity drive. Please consider donating what you can, and thanks for your time!