When Branden Middendorf became the president of the MINjas, he said he wanted to do a charity event the only way he knew how — a 24-hour gaming marathon.
That dream came to fruition this past weekend, when the group held its first charity event for Child’s Play, a national nonprofit organization that donates gaming consoles to children in hospitals.
“I know that they have charity walks and charity runs and things like that,” said Malcolm Myers, an attendee of the event. “Some people just don’t want to do that, but a lot of people like to play video games, so it’s good that they have other charity events that other people can do.”

The group’s goal was to raise $500, but that might have been aiming high. MINjas adviser Renee Human said she hoped the group would be able to raise $100.
After the weekend’s event, that goal was far surpassed, with somewhere between $550 and $600 raised. According to Jake Reynolds, the communication officer for the MINjas, the goal was met around 10:30 p.m. Friday night.

Money was raised through the $1 entry fee and through raffles to win prizes. The big prize of the night was a copy of “Assassin’s Creed III,” won by student Zachery Powell.
Throughout the night, people played both video games and board games, and participated in tournaments for “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” and “Guitar Hero: Metallica.”