Image via Mojang Studios.
Image via Mojang Studios.
An event named "Gaming For Change," held at Affinity Esports in Sandy Hook, Newtown, Connecticut, on May 16, 2026, attracted people of all ages and combined multiplayer fun with fundraising.
The event was not organized by a gaming company, streamer, or esports organization. It was led by Jack Liberta, a fourth-grader at Head O'Meadow Elementary School. It was part of his School Community Team project.
The event included video games, raffles, food, and other social activities to support Tommy's Place, a nonprofit providing free vacation homes for children battling serious illnesses and their families.
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Liberta wanted to combine his love for gaming with a good cause. The connection to Tommy's Place extends beyond the vacation homes, as his friend was a visitor there before passing away in 2023.
The event transformed Affinity Esports' office into a gathering space where attendees could play games including Minecraft, Fall Guys, Fortnite, and more, while also enjoying pizza, chips, and drinks. Visitors could also purchase a custom "Gaming For Change" jersey that was designed by Liberta.
Raffle tickets could also be purchased, with prizes including a gaming birthday party and free bagels for a year.
Gaming With A Purpose
According to Newtown Bee, Liberta began mapping out the entire event on paper from his scrapbook and called it "The Big Plan!"
His parents, Laura and Steve Liberta, supported him from the beginning, with what started as a school project extending into a community fundraiser backed by local residents and businesses.
Liberta's mother stressed that the fundraiser was entirely his idea.
"Sometimes I think people think I'm kidding when I say [Jack] came up with the plan, and I'm like, 'but he did.' He may be shy to speak about it, but he did come up with it. He stayed up till 11 o'clock at night, making the plan all by himself," Laura said.
According to Affinity Esports owner Mark Kilpatrick, the fundraiser raised around $1,145 through registrations, sales, jersey purchases, and direct contributions. Jersey sales remain open on Affinity Esports' website, with $14 from each purchase going toward Tommy's Place.
At a time when gaming is often criticized for keeping people isolated, events like "Gaming For Change" showed the opposite. It brought people together in person, raised money for families in difficult circumstances, and showed how the gaming community can create a positive impact.
Read more at Gaming Community by Max Level!
Written by
Pulkit Prabhav
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav