HARRISBURG, PA – The Student Union at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) transformed this past weekend into a hub for competitive gaming and philanthropy through a partnership between HU and Extra Life, a fundraising arm of Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). CMN hosts its annual Game Day in November of each year.
Game Day is a nationwide event that features groups from across the country, who come together to raise money through gaming marathons for local CMN-affiliated hospitals. Harrisburg University partnered with the Extra Life Hershey Guild to host 2024’s Game Day event and raise money for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey.
“It’s amazing to see so many new gamers join us, using their love of gaming to positively impact children and families at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital,” said Katie Anderson, director of Children’s Miracle Network. “This is a unique opportunity to give the gift of growing up.”
The event set a goal of raising $25,000 during the 24-hour gaming period and handily surpassed that goal, with a final total of $27,881.82 raised. Game Day 2024 helped bring Extra Life Hershey to a record-breaking $130,000 for the calendar year, surpassing 2023’s total of $107,000 raised.
“It was an honor to work alongside Extra Life Hershey for Game Day 2024 and play a part in helping them surpass their $25,000 goal,” said HU Assistant Director of Esports and Partnerships, Lynzie Wagaman. “We are fortunate to have a space inside The Whitaker Center that can host an array of events, including Extra Life Game Day. The money raised helps provide children and families with access to care that they may not have received otherwise while dealing with unimaginable struggles. HU looks forward to continuing our relationship with Extra Life Hershey and Children’s Miracle Network in our region.”
Game Day, sponsored by the Hershey Company, featured many different events in the HU Student Union, housed on the Arcade Level of The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts. Featured events included a life-sized “Candy Land,” a “Fortnite” and “Rocket League” tournament, live streams from attendees, a cosplay contest, two RPG one-shots [a single-session role-playing-game adventure], a visit from the Hershey’s Hershey Bar mascot, and much more.
In total, 120 attendees from the Central PA region joined together to game for good during the 24-hour gaming marathon, including participants from the HU community.
HU student, Zachary Frattaroli ‘25, noted, “Being a part of Game Day was an experience I will never forget. Gaming for 24 hours is never a small task to complete! But I was able to share the same goal with everyone in the room: raising money for kids.” Zachary was instrumental in the execution of the Game Day event and participated for the entire duration.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
ABOUT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK AT PENN STATE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a nonprofit organization that has affiliations with 170 children’s hospitals, including Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Gifts raised locally through Children’s Miracle Network fund equipment, patient programs, and pediatric research at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, which is the most comprehensive children’s hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, fully equipped to treat the most severely ill children of central Pennsylvania.
