Philanthropy and community are probably not the words that come to mind when you read college gaming club. The Community Through Gaming club at Marshall University might change that.
Founded by filmmaking student Michael Croff, a senior from Warren, Ohio, the purpose of the club is to create connection and belonging and make a difference in the community. Also, they play games.
Video games are a common thread, but it was never about playing. It was, and is, about the felt needs of belonging and helping to improve their community.
“It’s been so much more than what I thought it would be,” Croff said. “We have accomplished our goal of filling in the cracks of finding a place to belong and being able to make an impact. We have about 15 people consistently. We have raised some money to help the community, and we’re bringing people together.”
It’s a generosity of spirit and a desire to improve their world that drives this club. They’ve donated time, knowledge, supplies, and money to places such as Harmony House, the Cabell Wayne Animal Shelter, A.D. Lewis Community Center, and most recently the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital, a member of Marshall Health Network, through MHN Foundations. It’s not hard to see the club is making an impact but quantifying the amount is difficult when so much is measured in smiles and feelings of belonging and satisfaction.
“Our focus is less on games and more on trying to go out and volunteer,” said senior biology major Aneesh Gupta of Martinsburg, West Virgina. “I’m the philanthropy chair so I try to find things we can do. You can bring people together in lots of ways, sports, and other things, but we use games as a way to help people make friends and make a difference.”
For Gupta, it is a way to meet people and serve at the same time. For Croff, it is a way to find belonging and a way to give back after having made several hospital visits as a child for autism testing. Serving was also what Croff saw modeled by the grandparents who raised him.
“I feel like my experiences have played a part in wanting to help places like Hoops,” Croff said. “It helps me be more empathic. It’s easy to want to help, and it’s just what I was taught.”
At Hoops, club members installed a new gaming system, donated by Gamers Outreach, and made repairs to others. Gupta, whose next step is medical school, was able to participate in that experience. Though they didn’t interact with patients, he said he’s glad to know that children will benefit.
“It’s nice to think about making those kids happy,” he said. “Volunteering keeps me grounded in reality. There is more to life than just school. There are plenty of people that really need help and not as many people willing to help. There are a lot of volunteering groups in different niches and we’re one of them but hopefully the community is benefitting and that makes everything better.”
Croff added that as a student in his late twenties who took some time to work before finishing school, his perspective is perhaps broader than a younger student.
“I’m a big believer in leaving the community better than I found it,” he said. “I will be leaving Huntington, though I will still be in West Virginia. I just think it’s important to be involved in your community – hearing the stories of others and sharing yours.”
Whether they are raising funds to donate to a particular charity or donating their time and knowledge to help local children, the bottom line is that they’re making a difference to someone while building lifelong connections. Croff said the goal is to positively impact as many people as possible. To be able to leave a legacy that includes service and philanthropy and survives and expands is his desire.
Both men emphasized that anyone could make a difference simply with a desire to do so. It doesn’t always have to be through substantial amounts of money. Something as simple as gaming can make a difference in the bigger community.
“You know sometimes people want to know that their time is being used wisely,” Croff said. “That the moments that they’re working for are making a difference. Every action can make a difference and help a lot of people.”
Patients at Hoops Family Children’s Hospital are often facing fear and challenges that stick with them for life. Thanks to the efforts of Community Through Gaming club, they can help treat that with a dose of fun.
