November is a big month for Stack Up, and this year was no different. With Veterans Day and our Call to Arms Live event, we focused on reaching our fundraising goal for the year. Our Call to Arms Live event raised $70,000 towards our 2021 goal. This year's goal was $700,000 raised on DonorDrive, and you all surpassed it! With our push goal of $750,000, we expect you all will hit that number easily by the end of the year.
With all of that said, thank you to everyone that participated and answered the Call to Arms. We asked some folks who have benefited from our programs and the folks who ran fundraising events about Call to Arms and why they did a fundraiser. Their answers are below the list of questions we asked here:
Content Creators:
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Veterans/Service Members:
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
Have you benefitted from a Stack Up program? What was it? Tell us about your experience.
Why do you think it's important for people to answer the Call to Arms from Stack Up?
Unoraptormon | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I saw DreamWarrior raise money for y'all, and after I did my research, I decided to raise money for y'all.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Watching multiple communities come together.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Start out small and steadily grow over time until you figure out just how much your community will donate. Network with other streamers. Even if they don't want to raise funds themselves, they may send their communities your way. Do what you are comfortable with. For example, if you can't handle spicy foods, do NOT do Spicy Bean Boozle.
Landon | BaldEagleTalon
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
The better question is.... Why would I not put on a Call to Arms event? Answer - My heart is no longer beating. I have grown a strong love for Stack Up and our mission. Allowing to raise funds for this organization gives me great pride to support our Active Duty and Veterans alike.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
It's a fun time! Fundraising, in general, can be really boring. The great thing about Stack Up is our emphasis on video games. Anyone can pick their favorite game and raise funds for the best charity on Earth.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have a base knowledge about Stack Up. Get all your alerts and overlays set up prior to your stream. TEST them! Spread the word about your drive on ALL of your social medias!!! Be sure to @StackUpRex on Twitter!
Jesse (DullJoker) | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I love the awesome work that Stack Up does and wanted to help in any possible way, even though I don't stream all too often.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
The hype in the whole community is awesome and hypes me up as well. This made me so happy that I also started a Call2Arms DonorDrive to hook up to my channel.
JaxRomero | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
Did an event in March, and it was fun, so I thought I'd try it again. Originally in March, I did it because my brother is a vet, and we stayed in touch on his deployments thru gaming.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
It was fun. It was also good to spread the word and bring awareness about SU to people who had never heard about it.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Make it yours. Tailor it and incorporate things you already do with your community.
Shadow_Bambi | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I want to do more for our military men and women, and Veterans.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Knowing it's going to a good cause to help others.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Talk about it. Educate yourself on all the information and programs, and always stop to chat about why you are hosting a Call to Arms.
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
Thank you so much for helping and being there. Everyone always says you don't have to do this (Helping others), but it's not about having to, it's about wanting to. You guys are amazing!!
TicTacFoe | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I was contacted by a rep to garner interest.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Easy to set up, support is available and helpful.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Hype it up for a month before doing it.
SuperWolfLeo | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
Because Stack Up is Awesome!
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Having chat make the decisions in Until Dawn!
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have fun, and just keep trying!
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
Thank you to all of our Call 2 Arms members! It allowed me to go on an Air Assault, and it was one of the greatest things that I have been able to be a part of in quite a few years!
Have you benefitted from a Stack Up program? What was it? Tell us about your experience.
I was able to be a part of an Air Assault to Las Vegas. It really changed my life at a time when I was having a lot of mental health issues. It was incredible to get to hang with a bunch of vets and Stack Up royalty (employees) and be around people who understand and truly care about your well-being. Even though none of us had ever met before, we had an instant connection and friendship. Everyone cared about each other and looked out for each other. I won't soon forget my experience, as it has helped renew me in ways I didn't even know I needed.
Why do you think it's important for people to answer the Call to Arms from Stack Up?
You never know when someone will feel motivated to donate or whose lives might be touched and benefit from Stack Up's help.
Aaron Duke | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
My family has a history of people going into the Army, so this event especially spoke to me. Also, my Father has suffered from mental health issues since he returned from his service and has often used video games as a means of escape.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
I really liked how involved the Stack Up staff members were and how easy they made the process. It felt like I was working with an organization who cared not only about the cause they were raising money for but also the streamers who they were working with.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Don't overstretch yourself or promise anything that you may be unable to deliver. It's important that you don't forsake your own mental health and that you are able to give the people who support you what they have signed up for.
Soul UnSkripted | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
Being a Veteran myself, I felt compelled to give back to my battles by any means. Being a content creator and streamer, the best way I know how is to stream it and raise money for a great cause. I'm glad I found Stack up!
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
The amount of people that came through my stream in support of this great cause was something I enjoyed a lot.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
My advice is have fun with it. It's a great cause, and you will meet a lot of great people who support you.
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
As a Veteran myself, I really appreciate the folks fundraising and bringing awareness to the cause.
Have you benefitted from a Stack Up program? What was it? Tell us about your experience.
I have not yet.
Why do you think it's important for people to answer the Call to Arms from Stack Up?
We Veterans already have a hard time getting the help we need or hard to reach out to folks to discuss things. Answering the call to arms is just a small thing you can do to help out any Veteran.
LordThorran | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I truly believe that helping our fellow Veterans will bring us all to a better place in the long run.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
That all the effort that is put into this only goes to helping others.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have fun!!!
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
Keep going strong, and you are doing a great thing.
HomykSmash | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I put on an annual Month Long Charity Event every November. I hadn’t decided what charity to support for the month when Stack Up approached me about joining their Call To Arms Event after seeing my stream content. After seeing what they were about and the mission they seemed to accomplish, I was more than happy to join their mission. I fully support Mental Awareness/Support and respect the Hell out of Veterans that have served. It’s a good cause!
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
The investment from the volunteers and the support of the community they have curated is amazing! I have loved getting vets in my stream sharing their love of the games I play and even influencing some of my own community members to get involved in what Stack Up does. It’s been an extremely positive and energetic experience all around.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have fun and be yourself! Stack Up has been a welcoming and super supportive community. If you have questions or need advice, don’t be afraid to ask!
SyCo Bobby | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I wanted to help the cause more.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
I believe in what Stack Up does, and it gives me an opportunity to help other Veterans.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have fun with your event. Make sure you're enjoying it as much as your audience.
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?'
Every little bit helps. Don't feel demotivated if your goal isn't met.
Have you benefitted from a Stack Up program? What was it? Tell us about your experience.
I have not only contributed to Stack Up.
Why do you think it's important for people to answer the Call to Arms from Stack Up?
Stack Up truly cares and is out here helping Veterans and service members. I know playing games with my friends while I was Active helped with morale and well-being a lot.
Nyxena | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I have always wanted to do more for our Veterans and service members than just pay respects and thanks on Remembrance Day, but I never really knew how. When a friend told me about Call to Arms for Stack Up, I was excited that I could finally make that difference while doing something I love: gaming. Being able to support mental health through the power of gaming culture is a dream come true, so the fact I can do that for our Veterans and service members, too, means the world to me.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
I felt proud to be able to draw more awareness to the Call to Arms and actually be able to see the impact that my community and I have by funding a complete Supply Crate.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
My advice would be to know fairly well what Stack Up is and does so you can confidently talk about WHY you are putting on the event and what the donations go toward. If you are not passionate or knowledgeable about the cause, your community will not be motivated to support it.
DreadAssassin | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
We received a message from Mason, looked into the cause, and never looked back.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
The interaction with the Stack Up team and supporting a cause that my team and myself genuinely support.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
If you don't meet your donation goal, you still raised money for a great cause. Keep your head up, keep pressing forward, and plan another event.
Michael "LucidFaith" Johnston | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I decided to put on a Call to Arms event because I personally struggle with mental health, and I am not even in the military. Life is hard enough and to go above and beyond that and be in the service is incredible. If I can help even one Veteran or Service Member live a better life, it is worth it.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
I really enjoyed knowing that the Charity I am supporting will actually use the money raised for good.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
The biggest piece of advice I would give in running a Call to Arms event is to believe in yourself. Trust yourself that you can put on a good event. More specifically, try to plan out the event ahead of time.
Stephupthegame | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
A member of my community put me in touch with a Stack Up team member who asked if I would participate. I have many vets and service members in my community, and I wanted to do something to give back to them.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
It felt like my community really connected with the cause, and Stack Up made it very easy as a content creator to actually put on the event.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Use the provided tools, ask for help if you need it and make sure you advertise!
Jester1147 | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
an amazing opportunity to work with some amazing creators while supporting Call To Arms
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Community interaction
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Seek advice and interaction from others who have been involved.
Do you have any words for the folks out there fundraising? Whether it's hype or thanks or advice?
Embrace the opportunity. We are on the front lines in Veteran support in the gaming world.
Have you benefitted from a Stack Up program? What was it? Tell us about your experience.
I was invited to SDCC:SE as well as the chance to be a part of events like TwitchCon and GuardianCon.
Why do you think it's important for people to answer the Call to Arms from Stack Up?
We need to have a voice out there, and Stack Up is doing an amazing job allowing us to be heard.
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
My father is a Veteran, and he and I both live with mental health diagnosis on a day-to-day basis, so I relate to everything that Stack Up and the Call to Arms event stands for.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
Call to Arms got me out of my content-creating comfort zone and got me to try a lot of new things as a content creator. This is my first charity drive I have ever done, and it gave me the opportunity to create content I have never made before.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Have fun incentives that would motivate people other than those in your community to donate, be grateful for EVERY donation that comes in no matter how much it is.
Koiniplier | Twitch
What made you decide to put on a Call to Arms event?
I was already wanting to do a charity event for November, but then Stack Up contacted me to be part of C2A, and it solidified that was the charity I wanted to do.
What is something you enjoyed about answering the Call to Arms?
I loved the involvement of the team in my event. I got unofficially raided by the board after a meeting, and it really warmed my heart. But also, I'm loving the community response to the organization and that they're getting more exposure, and I'm able to help.
What advice do you have for anyone that puts on a Call to Arms event?
Plan!! Use the tags. Stack Up WANTS to help you succeed! Socials are a great way to do that, and it will help you get the exposure you need to meet your goal.
