| November 3, 2010 | Posted by Martin Ralya |
A few days ago, we got an email from Jason, who writes The Action Point, asking if we’d help spread the word about the Bagram AFB Gaming Community and help drive some donations. He’s since put up that page and created a process for folks who are interested in helping out, and I’m here to tell you about it.
“Bagram AFB” is Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan, where Jason is currently stationed, and the BAFBGC is the community of gamers out there. They’re gathering materials to run regular sessions of D&D Encounters, and Wizards of the Coast has already donated the entire “season” of Encounters goodies (rock on, WotC!).
What they need now is other stuff, and how they need it is via their Amazon wishlist. According to Jason, this is a lot simpler than dealing with the red tape involved in accepting direct donations.
There’s all sorts of stuff on their wishlist, with gaming goodies priced at $5 on up. Even if you can’t afford much, there’s likely something in your price range if you’re interested.
The Stew has made a donation, and I hope you’ll consider doing the same. We’re a pretty low-pressure outfit here, but when we learn about a good cause we think our readers would want to hear about, we share.
In fact, here’s a little challenge: Can we, the Gnome Stew community, clear the Bagram AFB Gaming Community’s wishlist?
Before you can donate, you’ll need to email Jason for the shipping address; here are the details. If you donate, be sure to mark what you bought as “purchased” on the wishlist so no one else buys it again.
Thanks for reading, and here’s to some happy nights around the gaming table for the Bagram AFB Gaming Community! Come home safe.
About Martin Ralya
A father, husband, writer, small-press publisher, RPG industry freelancer, and lifelong geek, Martin has been gaming since 1987 and GMing since 1989. He lives in Utah with his amazing wife, Alysia, their awesome daughter, Lark, and their neurotic beagle, Charlie, in a house full of books and games.
12 Responses to Donate to the Bagram AFB Gaming Community: Help Our Troops Game
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November 3, 2010 at 11:23 am - Link
My gaming group is putting together a package of stuff to send over. Just waiting to hear back from Jason with the address. I’ve also posted the info and link to the ObsidianPortal page on Facebook.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Gnomes!
November 3, 2010 at 1:07 pm - Link
I’m arranging some purchases, but I think I’m going to send the troops a couple of games besides D&D 4th Edition. Nothing against that system, but they might enjoy a little variety!
November 3, 2010 at 6:48 pm - Link
@Patrick Benson – I’ll probably throw in a copy or two of the Savage Worlds Explorers Edition, too.
However, for all it’s faults, 4E is very efficient for pick-up games. Most gamers know the system, the rules are pretty simple and (with the right cards) self-explanatory, and just about any GM can run it right out of the books.
November 3, 2010 at 6:50 pm - Link
(stupid quick fingers on the “Submit” button)
This is a great thing for gamers, for soldiers (and airmen), and for guys like me who used to wear a uniform and want to help out how we can. Thanks for sharing this, Martin!
November 4, 2010 at 1:05 pm - Link
@Kurt “Telas” Schneider – I understand what you are saying here. Again, I’m not knocking 4e. I play it and GM it. It is an okay game, and it is so popular that it is a great game to find fellow gamers through.
I’m just looking at that list and thinking “Fiasco would be a great game to play if I had limited time and resources.” or “Savage Worlds can be ran quickly using that other stuff too.”
I’m not suggesting that these troops need to play something other than 4e, but I am hoping that sending some variety their way increases their gaming joy while they serve. It is the least that we can do, right?
November 4, 2010 at 4:06 pm - Link
@Patrick Benson – I think we’re on the same page here. I’m sending some stuff from the wish list, and some Savagery…
November 4, 2010 at 5:12 pm - Link
This is a worthy cause. Thanks for promoting it.
I’ll see what I can do to help.
November 8, 2010 at 9:02 pm - Link
Thanks to everyone who contributed! Quite a few items have disappeared from the BAFBGC’s wishlist so far.
November 9, 2010 at 7:55 am - Link
Many, many thanks to everybody who responded to the post! From the response, there’s a lot of stuff headed our way right now, and as soon as it starts coming in there will be pictures and credit where it is due. I really couldn’t have done this without the help of the awesome Gnomes. I’m in your small, pointy-hatted debt, guys. Thanks.
November 10, 2010 at 10:38 pm - Link
@theactionpoint – No debt, just happy to help. I’d love to see pictures of a game in progress, if you can swing it!
November 14, 2010 at 10:48 am - Link
@theactionpoint – Expect some more stuff coming your way as tomorrow is payday.
November 19, 2010 at 5:07 am - Link
UPDATE on the Bagram Gaming Community!!
http://wp.me/pRa8r-4E
Thanks to everybody who has contributed thus far!!