NCVA Gaming Charity : Esports Team Raises $2,250 for St. Jude

Gaming with A Purpose
At North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA), students are proving that gaming can be more than just fun—it can be a force for good. 

The NCVA esports team, made up of passionate players who compete in games like Overwatch 2, Valorant, and Fortnite, are doing more than just playing video games. These students are developing critical skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities they’ll carry into future careers and beyond. 

Recently, they took their skills to the next level by hosting a gaming marathon fundraiser, led by Jared Miller, NCVA’s dedicated Esports Coach and Manager. This event was packed with energy and excitement, featuring friendly competitions streamed live on YouTube. Students, families, and staff came together to support the cause, creating a vibrant community effort for a meaningful mission. 

Raising Funds and Awareness 

The goal? To raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that resonates with so many. Donations poured in as viewers cheered on the team, and by the end of the marathon, the team had raised an impressive $745. In total the esports team has raised a total of $2,250 towards the cause over the past several events, showcasing their ongoing commitment to making a difference through gaming. 

Jared Miller adds “The original idea of doing something for charity was from the students about 2 years ago. I had proposed the idea of a marathon stream, taking inspiration from the streamer Dr Lupo’s Build Against Cancer. The students thought it would be a great idea. So, we said how is 10 hours and I had 15 students say, “I will be there the whole time”. After that it became a yearly tradition, and we are looking forward to getting more esports programs involved and other parts of the school as well in the coming year(s).” 

What’s Next? 

The success of this event shows how powerful gaming can be, and how much of a community could be brought out because of it. NCVA has hosted this event the past couple years and will continue to do so in the future. Whether it’s supporting another cause or simply celebrating their shared love of gaming, the NCVA esports team is just getting started. 

Interesting in learning more about NCVA, visit  https://ncva.k12.com to explore our programs