Cards and video games will be coming to The Nook Cafe this Saturday as the University’s newest coffee shop partners with Houston-based charity Extra Life to raise money for Texas Children’s Hospital.
Nook owner and UH alumni Derek Shaw has worked with Extra Life for roughly four years with ParrishShaw, his family’s insurance company, of which he is the chief operations officer.
“I knew I was going to integrate the Nook into (the fundraiser), I just wasn’t sure how,” Shaw said.
For 24 hours, children and adults alike will play cards, board games and video games to raise money, Shaw said is different type of fundraising experience.
“For people who don’t do 5Ks, for people who aren’t the get-out-and-run sort of folks, this gives a unique sort of market participation,” Shaw said.
Extra Life began as a partnership with the Sarcastic Gamer podcast, which sent in video games and other gifts for Victoria Enmon, a young girl who was facing treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Enmon passed away in 2008, and Extra Life was born to raise money for the hospital. According to their website, in 2008 and 2009 Extra Life raised $302,000 in funds.
The Nook’s fundraising efforts hit some snags this year, as Shaw was unable to safely host the event late at night. Though UHPD was supportive of the event, time constraints led to difficulties.
Shaw said wants to work more with student groups like Greek organizations, who already are thoroughly invested in fundraising causes, next year. He also wants to involve the other businesses that are hosted next to the Nook, such as Pink’s Pizza, which could offer food and TV space.
“It’s important for the students to know that we will work harder in 2015 to make students have an active role in Extra Life,” Shaw said.
To donate, visit extra-life.org/participant/derekshaw.
