This week, July 26 - July 30, is Stacks Week. As such, all of our social media has been everything Stacks program. What are the Stacks?
From our Stacks page:
The Stacks are teams of local volunteers around the globe who use gaming and other activities to connect to their communities in order to create welcoming and supportive environments for veterans. We have Stacks in a variety of major cities - not only in the US, but in the UK, New Zealand, and expanding around the world!
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Our Stacks volunteers do amazing things within their local communities, making a difference, and representing Stack Up as they go. As we close Stacks week, we decided to spotlight our volunteers in this round of the Redshirt Roundtable. For this Redshirt Roundtable, we asked our volunteers this list of questions:
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Which Stack are you part of?
Why did you join the Stacks?
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
Theo Wiseman - Renegade
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Mr_Chainsaww
Which Stack are you part of?
Holloman
Why did you join the Stacks?
We had found a non-profit that uses a medium we're interested in that fights veteran suicide and works toward positive mental health outcomes. My father and brother are both veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Same with a childhood friend. My wife is a veteran diagnosed as bipolar. The Stack Up mission was very near and dear to things I care about.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
Community involvement. Stack Up has given us a strong medium to interact with organizations in our community. If I had to pick one thing, it's our relationship with our community food bank. This has helped me meet many veterans in my area that all have different needs and helps our team get them connected to the resources they need!
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
We're community-focused. We support each other and help each other out, and have fun while doing it. To quote the DM of our D&D group that just moved here, "I just met you guys, and you've already helped me more with my move than any of my friends from my previous base."
Macamac
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Quake on 2017.
Which Stack are you part of?
DFW.
Why did you join the Stacks?
I was hoping to bring in a different part of gaming to Stacks through board games and TTRPG.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
To help each other out, to better check on all of us that went through the same crisis and moods of depression and loft each other up.
John Potter / NemoClown - Check out his Twitch channel!
How did you learn about the Stacks?
During the weekly Stack Up meeting after joining Stack Up.
Which Stack are you part of?
Washington, DC.
Why did you join the Stacks?
To give back to Stack Up, which has proven to be an amazing charity that I can get behind and provide awareness to others local to me.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
Set up a Stack Up table at the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle to include volunteering at the event.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
To spread awareness about Stack Up and help out the local communities.
Daniel / Mr_Chainsaww - Find him on Twitch!
How did you learn about the Stacks?
I learned about the Stacks program when I first came across Stack Up, which I discovered as a charity for the Combined Federal Campaign. My thoughts were this organization supports veterans and loves gaming. Sign me up. I wanted to help further this cause in any way I could.
Which Stack are you part of?
Two Stacks for myself. I stood up the Holloman Stack located in southern New Mexico in 2018 and am still helping out that group remotely. Currently, I have taken on the challenge of establishing a new Stack in Kansas City.
Why did you join the Stacks?
To help further the amazing work this organization is doing and to make positive impacts in our local communities. I wanted to provide a positive outlet for our younger service members, getting them out having fun together while also giving back to our community.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
I have made lots of great memories with my Stack. With the help of donations from our local community, we were able to sponsor a supply crate and seeing the write-up for that was awesome. Our little group providing that type of support was great to see. Beyond that, I have enjoyed just meeting people who are excited as I am to learn about this organization and want to be a part of this community. I had the opportunity to bring some of my Stack members with me to PAX South, and that is a memory I will certainly cherish for years to come.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
People should join the Stacks to enrich their own lives and those in their community if you don't have a Stack, create one. We have so many great leads in our Stacks to include the amazing Liz running the show, so there is no shortage of support for new leads. It is great to see collaboration amongst these groups. We can do so much good together. Small acts of kindness, getting someone out of the house for board games and coffee. It might not seem like much, but it can be a really big pick me up for some people. Additionally, now with our all Stacks events, we have seen the Stacks come together and do amazing projects for events like Earth Day, where we made impacts around the world.
TronieNZ
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Bungie Bounty back in 2015/16.
Which Stack are you part of?
Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Why did you join the Stacks?
I’m a Vet and a gamer. The perfect fit.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
Beach cleanup. Supply crate delivery.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
Give a sense of purpose to their own gaming and enhance welfare for others.
ZiplockBob
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Through the discord channel.
Which Stack are you part of?
Chattanooga, TN.
Why did you join the Stacks?
There wasn't one in my area, so I decided to fix it myself.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
The time we donated a bunch of board games to the local VA. Those games were donated by a local store, and I found it really nice to get community support.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
There are two main reasons. If you are the type of person who is interested in charity work but don't have a ton of time to dedicate to it, the Stacks are great for that due to a general flexibility. The second reason is that considering how crazy this past year has been with the virus, the Stacks has been a bit of a godsend when it comes to maintaining a social circle.
Chad Christian/TapRackBang/EatSleepNerdRepeat
How did you learn about the Stacks?
Through a charity stream, we did back in 2018.
Which Stack are you part of?
Dayton, OH.
Why did you join the Stacks?
I enjoy getting people together to play games. I'm not really much of a streamer anymore, so it has been a great way to get behind our cause and put some of my skills and interests to use.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
One of the most memorable events was when the STEM Academy in Springfield chose Stack Up as the beneficiary of a semester-long project for its students. Veterans were interviewed on their time in service, and students made video games, art, and other works to convey the experiences of those who served. At the end of the semester, the school held an event to showcase the students' creations. It was humbling to be a part of something of that scale.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
At the very least, we offer an opportunity to meet and nerd out with other great gamers who have spent time in service. Many of our Stack members are civilian supporters as well, but having people present who are supportive and share similar interests can go a long way. On a deeper level, we want veterans who are struggling to find ways to interact with the community to know that they aren't alone.
SuperWolfLeo - Find him on Twitch!
How did you learn about the Stacks?
From the weekly discord meeting.
Which Stack are you part of?
Dallas TX.
Why did you join the Stacks?
I wanted to join a group of Veterans doing some outreach.
What is something you did with the Stacks that you enjoyed, found memorable, made the volunteering worth it?
Nothing yet.
Why do you think other people should join the Stacks?
A great way to meet other veterans and do something together.