I don’t know about you, but for us here at Ravenwood Castle and the Malted Meeple, the last few months have just flown past. It’s hard to believe that not only are we well into 2018, but that it’s already time for the Hoop & Stick Convention! Yet time it is, as Hoop & Stick starts in just two days!

Though it feels as if it’s snuck up on us, we’ve actually been thinking about Hoop & Stick 2018 for, well, a year now. Last year’s Hoop & Stick was our fifth annual, and we went all out. With the help of our donors and guests, we had a blast and raised over $9,500 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

As great as last year’s convention was though, it wasn’t long after the dust settled that we began to get worried. How on earth were we ever going to top a fifth anniversary celebration? Was Hoop & Stick 2018 destined to be the first Hoop & Stick that did not exceed the previous year’s fundraising total?

So the team went to work. We put together another outstanding schedule of activities for the convention itself, and as always guest spots filled up almost instantly. We lined up another great group of donors, and have an amazing selection of items for the annual silent auction.  As a new addition this year, we have also signed on several dedicated sponsors for the event. In addition to donating items for the auction, the sponsors have made direct cash donations to Extra Life, helping drive us towards our fundraising goal!

All told, Hoop & Stick 2018 is shaping up to be another gangbusters event, and another great year of fundraising for Extra Life and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals! Though the convention itself is still two days away, we have already raised $8,710! With a little luck and some aggressive bidding during the silent auction, we appear to be on track to exceed both last year’s total and our 2018 goal of $10,000!

There’s still time if you would like to help us reach our goal. Simply head on over to the Hoop & Stick page, and click the “Make a Donation!” button on the right side. Your tax deductible donation will go directly to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

While you’re there, be sure to scroll down the right side of the page and check out our amazing line up of Sponsors and Silent Auction Donors. In particular I’d like to call attention to a few of our sponsors: Library Game Room Sponsor Jackie O’s Brewery, Drawbridge Sponsor The Rogue Crusade, and General Sponsors Medieval Interactions Gaming and Greater Than Games!

Finally, if you’re in the Northeast Ohio area this weekend, stop in to the Malted Meeple. We will once again be offering our Extra Life exclusive #ForTheKids milkshake and donating 50% of sales to the Hoop & Stick campaign. We will also be holding a used game sale, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Extra Life!

Thanks to our Sponsors, our Donors, our guests, and everyone who is helping to make this another great year of raising money for children’s hospitals. Let’s have a great weekend and Play Games, Heal Kids!

Jim Reed

Jim Reed is a lifelong gamer who started with the original red box Dungeons & Dragons. After spending 20 years in the corporate world, he decided it was high time that work be fun and struck out on his own. Jim now owns and operates Ravenwood Castle, and spends his days ensuring his guests have as much fun as he does.