"Geeks are people ...

who love something so much that all the details matter."

-Marissa Mayer 

Pat Rothfuss' Worldbuilders are back, once again, with their mid-year Geeks Doing Good campaign that works as a capacity fundraiser for the organization while introducing us to cool, never-before-seen products, as well as bringing back old faves & limited edition items, and "as always, all proceeds from Worldbuilders Market go to Worldbuilders to support our mission of uniting the geek community into a massive force to fund education, opportunity, and sustainable self-sufficiency for families and communities worldwide."  So, how can you join in?  By shopping the Worldbuilders Market where new geeky wares are rolled out for you to load up on everything your inner, outer, and everything in-between Geek desires!  Also, feel free to swing by the Geeks Doing Good Indiegogo campaign site for the opportunity to purchase, and pre-order exclusive new items while quantities last.

Of course Pat will be Twitching throughout the week, so swing by, say hi, and be sure to follow his channel, and sign up for notifications so you'll never miss out on his live streams ... if that's your kind of thing.  

The Summer fundraiser officially ends July 21, 2022, but as always, all proceeds from the Worldbuilders Market (every purchase, all year long) go towards making the world a better place, so if you miss the cut-off date this year, your opportunity to make a positive impact still abounds!

xoxo

Giddy-up, Jingle Horse!

November 30, 2021 - December 15, 2021

Pick up your feet!  It's the last day to jingle on over to Pat Rothfuss' end of year Worldbuilders fundraising event, and donate for the opportunity to change a person's life forever, and for your chance to win lovely lottery prizes.  If you've been a reader around here for a little while, you already know every year around this time I hype Pat's charitable efforts (in fact, I can't believe this is the eighth year I've been a part of this, read more here) on behalf of Heifer International because I've come to respect, and admire the organization in ways that completely eclipse my involvement with any other outfit.  Simply put, I believe in their work.  Pat REALLY believes in it, I mean just ask him, he will go off for hours detailing the minutiae of why Heifer's involvement with some of the poorest regions of our world is so awesome, and worth getting excited about, and super worth lending a hand to.  

Pat's passion is what truly sells this thing each year, the rest of us are just the messengers.  Because of the lack of major media attention on the merry-making mayhem, we've been left to our own devices, which means Worldbuilders has had to rely on word-of-mouth in the geek community, and still in just a two-week span, most years have seen totals of over a million dollars that go straight into Heifer International's purse to be put to immediate use helping people around the world who are living in peril.  For everything that Pat puts his hand to, I believe this is the man's true calling, and thanks to him, for a brief few weeks at the end of the year we get to be part of something special.

If you'd like to join in the festivities today, check out Pat's Twitch streaming schedule below, and come say hello!

(Pacific Standard Time)

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Doors of Stone Prologue Reading and Q&A

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Underthing Related Reveal with Shawn Speakman

3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Star Trek Discovery D&D Game

7:00 PM - ???? Caffeine-Riddled Enthusiastic Stream Funtimes (my personal faves)

If you'd like to learn more about Heifer International, you can always start here:

Charity Navigator: Worldbuilders, Heifer International

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Today is the final day of the Worldbuilders 2020 fundraising event, meaning it is your last day for your donations to enter you into the prize lottery (every $10 gets you 1 entry), your last day to bid on auctions, your last day to pitch in to Oot's Cow Jar where if we hit $20k in donations every person who donated will have access (until March 2021) to a private KKC themed Minecraft server where you can play with Pat, and the little Rothfi, and it's also the last day to catch Pat streaming on a regular schedule (1-4 pm CST).  Will his deca-shot, fancy coffee order cause him a cardiac event in real-time on your screen?  We don't know!  Tune in to find out!  I hope to see you there... 

xoxo

Few Things Restore My Faith in Humanity—

December 1, 2020 - December 15, 2020

Quite like the Winter leg of the Worldbuilders charity drive.  Truly, no matter what is going on in the world, or in my life, the community that rallies around this organization genuinely warms my heart.  If you know, then you know.  If you don't know, then this is the perfect year to find out!  With so many of us locked down, quarantining, self-isolating, or just socially awkward, 2020 is the perfect time to dip your toe into this wonderfully weird world, do a little good for other folks, and be embraced by new friends in an inviting, and respectful environment! In years past (6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... in fact) I've talked mostly about the money, benchmarks, what Worldbuilders or Heifer International is, or who gets helped, but with the way this year has gone I think it's worth noting the human connection aspect of this fundraiser.  

Each year (for approximately two weeks), author Patrick Rothfuss assembles a motley crew, and carves out an obnoxious number of hours from his days to entertain the masses on his Twitch channel where all manner of topics from gaming, to writing, conventions, parenting, and mental health are discussed live with professionals, friends, amateurs(?), imposters(??), and the gods only know who else.  All the while, if you're unfamiliar with Twitch, a chat window operates to the side of the screen where all the regular folks like us get to hang out, ask questions, or offer answers to the on-screen conversation, or more often than not, deviate and hold our own little chat-party completely unrelated to the stream.  I'm one of a handful of moderators over there, and I will tell you, I don't even try to stay on topic; none of us do, really.  The whole goal is just to keep it a chill little corner of cyberspace where people can duck in, relax, recharge, share a laugh and feel good for as long as they wish to stay ... And I think that's what I'm most proud of.  Sure, the raising money part is worthwhile, but to be perfectly honest, watching friendships evolve, and relationships grow out of a chat window, seeing the same names come back year after year, chuckling at the interactions between the regulars, and feeling my heart swell when someone new swings by for the first time, and is treated like an old pal is tremendously refreshing, and rewarding.  

Going into my seventh year of participating, I can honestly say that my holiday season doesn't fully kick off until the charity starts; it's become that much a part of what traditions I do have.

It just doesn't feel like Winter, or Christmas, or whatever until this gang of geeks unites to right some of the wrongs in the world.  I should mention this is not a disparaging remark, the whole idea of "geeks doing good" was founded on the notion that geeks get results.  Just throwing money at a problem is not a satisfactory solution.  Geeks want to be part of long-lasting, profound change that has the ability to impact peoples' lives in legitimate and tangible ways, and they have the brain-power and creativity to get in there and make it happen.  That's why Worldbuilders partners with charitable organizations like Heifer International, Mercy Corps, GlobalGiving, and First Book. If that sounds like you, then you're a geek too!  If you want to join the merry-making mayhem you can check out the main Worldbuilders page, if you're ready to jump right in and donate, you can do that here where every $10 gets you an entry into the prize lottery, you may also enjoy browsing the auctions, and last but not least, be sure to check out Pat's streaming schedule, and come say hello!

Charity Navigator: Worldbuilders

As always, but especially this year, because I know it's been tough on a lot of us and our dollars might be stretched a little thinner than usual, please don't feel bad if you can't make a monetary contribution.  You can come hang out anyway, there is absolutely no obligation to donate, but if it's not in the budget, or you're underage and you still want to participate, remember that spreading the word is just as important as any dollar amount you could give.  Make some noise!!

xoxo

Stille Nacht

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!

Join Pat's Twitch channel tomorrow (December 18, 2019) starting at 12 PM CST for the FOURTEEN HOUR live-stream after-party event where donations will continue to be accepted until Midnight PST.  Read more about the mayhem here, and I hope to see you all there!

*** 

I've had many silent nights to ponder the state of the world lately, and feel that we need to be lending a helping hand to one another more now than we've been willing to acknowledge in recent years.  Five years in, I've taken a few moments each Winter to hype Pat Rothfuss' Worldbuilders charity, and this year is no different.  We're currently barreling down the tracks to the final day of this fundraiser on behalf of Heifer International, and even though (in the past) the charity has almost always been extended, I would not take my chances waiting for that announcement.  If you would like the opportunity to win prizes in the lottery, or bid on something you fancy in one of the auctions, or help a team meet their stretch goals, now is the time to get your donations in.  "But, isn't this the season of giving - why are we talking about all the things we could be getting??" You may be asking ... Yes!  This is the season of giving, but Geekerati, geek-centric, and geek-adjacent companies from around the world have come together and donated tangible items in the form of books, games, experiences (think, Caribbean cruises / writing mentorships), art, apparel, accessories, trinkets and keepsakes, and one very special book that keeps being donated back to the charity, not because we're all cynical and believe people won't help other folks from the goodness of their hearts, but to make it more fun.  Why aren't we trying to make more things in life fun, is the more appropriate question, I think.  If you'd like to join in, every $10 gets you one entry into the lottery, and a warm and fuzzy feeling to carry with you throughout the new year!

If you're curious about my previous posts on the topic, you can read them here, here, here, here, and here.  And as always, if you're strapped for cash or too young to participate, please do not underestimate the value of spreading the word, your voice can make a strong impact, so don't be afraid to make some noise!  Also, this charity is open to folks worldwide, so if you're worried that donations made from outside of the country won't go through, they will, and you are eligible to win prizes as well.

Wherever you are, take care of each other out there!

xoxo

Perfect Ten!

Kicking off Giving Tuesday is Pat Rothfuss' Worldbuilders 2-week Winter charity event!  This year being the tenth anniversary of his philanthropic brainchild, we're going to see some big announcements, format changes, and wonderfully geek-themed goodies. 

Previously, the charity spanned an entire month, and was almost always extended a little bit at the end for last minute donors, but this year the six week merrymaking is being packed into just 14 days (Nov 27 - Dec 11) of money raising mayhem.

So what are we raising money for, anyway?  First of all, not all charities are created equal, and Charity Navigator is a great tool to figure out if what you're supporting is on the up & up.  If you can't find your charity there, look for the organization's personal website (it should have one), where if it's reputable, a disclosure for how much of the money raised goes where, should be displayed, and always remember big charities = big overhead, so very little of the money actually gets into the hands of the people who need it most.  With that said, all of the charities supported through Worldbuilders' fundraising efforts have at least a 3 star rating through Charity Navigator, and are forthright, and transparent about how they operate.  As always, this winter's collection of coin will be going to Heifer International, whose goal is ending hunger and poverty, globally.  What sets Heifer apart from other organizations is that it doesn't just do a food drop, or throw money at a problem, real solutions are sought and implemented in a way that not only eradicates the immediate problem, but has a real and lasting impact on entire communities through the allocation of resources, education, and infrastructure development.  You can read more about their mission here. 

In ten years Rothfuss has been able to rile his supporters into donating over 8 million dollars, and changing countless lives because of it.  So, if you'd like to join in, and make this the most mind-bending record breaking year to date you can go here, and donate immediately, and follow the accounts below to stay up to date on all of the coming pandemonium:

Pat's blog

Pat on Facebook 

Pat's Twitch Channel
(you can find his Twitch Schedule at the bottom of this page)

Pat on Twitter

Worldbuilders on Facebook

Worldbuilders Market on Twitter

 Worldbuilders on Twitter

 Also, if you're a little strapped for cash this year, but you still want to be involved, please do not underestimate the power of your voice.  Spread the word, share what you know, and educate others on the work that is being done.  You will end up creating a ripple effect all your own, and change lives forever.   

xoxo

#GeeksDoingGood

It's back!  The Worldbuilders Market has kicked off its week-long Summer fundraising event with all proceeds from sales going toward humanitarian efforts around the world through programs like First Book, Mercy Corps, and Heifer International (read more here).  This year, instead of hosting the fundraiser through Indiegogo, Worldbuilders has brought Geeks Doing Good to its own website, and created a convenient shopping page stocked full of goodeis, and pre-orders for fresh gear you can't find anywhere else.  So, if you want some new swag, why not help people in dire circumstances while you get it?

Last year's event raked in $239,872 USD in just seven days with regular people giving what they could to make someone else's life a little bit better.  It's not exactly a bad way to celebrate Pat Rothfuss' birthday if you ask me.

 xoxo

Last Call...

If you're a regular around here, you know every winter I roll out the bi-annual charity post for Pat Rothfuss' Worldbuilders organization that raises money throughout the year on behalf of Heifer International.  However, this geek-tastic gang concentrates its efforts toward two main drives each year; one in the winter when our hearts are warm and fuzzy, and a summer event to celebrate the author's birthday, and after last year's record breaking Two Million (and some change) USD grand total, they are currently sitting at the One Million USD mark with one day left to donate (though they almost always extend the deadline by a week to accommodate those paid mid-month).

So, why Heifer?  It's no secret, there are a lot of charities out there that are organized, and overseen as chaotic dumpster fires, at best.  This is a huge problem when the dumpster is full of well-meaning people's money, while the human beings it was all meant to help are still suffering.  With Heifer, things are refreshingly different with a rating of 97% on Charity Navigator's accountability transparency scale, they have nothing to hide, which means you can find out fairly quickly that 75% of all donated money goes straight into supporting their programs, while 5% is put toward administration costs.  Another cool, insider tip for those donating is that you can contact them, and ask to be taken off their mailing / advertising lists so that even MORE money can go toward helping people in need.  I'm a sure thing, so I don't need them to waste money that could go toward feeding a hungry person on printed materials sent to my mailbox reminding me to donate.  

Ok, ok that's cool and all, but what makes Heifer International so special?  Unlike many organizations, Heifer doesn't just throw money at people.  Cash is great, I guess, but what is someone supposed to do with it when there is NOTHING to buy, and NOWHERE to buy it?  See, we're not talking about folks who've just fallen on hard times, Heifer aims to help depressed areas so crippled with poverty (and often generational) that paper and coin just isn't going to fix.  This is when they swoop in with regionally appropriate tools, systems, education and customized training, and get to work laying the foundations for new community economies.  Why does this excite Pat, his Worldbuilders, and their geeky ilk?  It's quite simple, really.

Geeks believe in solutions.  They're not happy just dumping dough.  Good deeds without real results are just empty gestures, and that's not good enough, making Heifer + Geeks a perfect match.  Heifer is out there getting results.  The programs they tailor to each area's unique circumstances, and challenges truly change people's lives, not just once, but over and over again in a true ripple effect, which is, frankly, quite wonderful.  

If you're interested in learning more, watch the video below, or if you're already feeling generous, click here, and consider putting a few dollars toward building a world you're pleased to be part of.

xoxo

Nerd Alert!!!

They're baaaaAAAaaaack ...

Pat Rothfuss' well-oiled, charity machine is at it again.  Worldbuilders is throwing a week-long "Geeks Doing Good" fundraising event (on behalf of Heifer International) in celebration of the Author's (and all around geek aficionado) birthday.  Plus, if you missed out on his end of the year charity merry-making, where they raised a sum over two million dollars, this is your chance to jump in, and score some geeky goodies (ofttimes limited edition) for a good cause.  Head on over to his blog and read up on the event, or just dive right into the Indiegogo page, and start shopping!  Last year's summer event raised over $200,000 USD in just one week to help people around the world deliver themselves from crippling poverty.  To read more about what makes Heifer International unique, head here.

xoxo

Ready for a Little World Building?

Alright gang, my annual Worldbuilders winter fundraiser post is coming out a little earlier than usual this year.  In years past I've posted about Patrick Rothfuss' end of the year charity extravaganza where geeks from all walks of life come together to change people's lives through Heifer International to kick off the holiday season around here on December 1st, and also help spread the word of a final two week push to the donation finish line.  This year things are a little different, Worldbuilders has announced that they have the ability to match donations made in 2016 up to a million dollars, meaning if anything near last year's total is achieved, TWO MILLION USD will be given to Heifer International to completely transform the lives of people in our own country and around the world who have been affected by the most devastating poverty imaginable.

So, how can you join in all of the merry-making, you ask?  Go HERE and check out Pat's charity launch post for an in-depth description of how this all works.  The basic idea is that there are three ways to help out: Auctions, Lottery, and Donate, but as the fundraiser goes on madness ensues with new stretch goals added, and new lottery and auction items thrown into the mix, so it's great to check back in with his blog between now and the end of the fundraiser **DEADLINE EXTENDED!!!** DECEMBER 19, 2016 11:59 UTC-11 to see what other shenanigans have cropped up that you might feel you need to be involved with.  If you're feeling generous this holiday season, or looking to deviate from the usual gift giving of this time of year give it a peek and maybe drop a few dollars to help someone out!

xoxo

Calling All Geeks!

It's that time again ... (my favorite) Author, Pat Rothfuss, and crew are at it again.  They're celebrating his birthday today by kicking off a week long charity fundraiser through Worldbuilders over here.  We all remember coming together last Christmas to raise over a million dollars, and where I *won* this little gem out of the lottery, right?

Well, if you're bummed out you missed the last go 'round of this, and the opportunity to help people Pat's blog to read more about how you can help out while getting your paws on some super-duper swag, and wish him a happy birthday if you want to.
dig themselves out of crippling poverty, now's your chance!  Hop over to

xoxo 

Here We Go!

Patrick Rothfuss' Worldbuilders are at it again with their fundraising efforts barreling down the track of another record-breaking year on behalf of Heifer International.  Every year his assembled team of world-building minions roll up their sleeves to bring Geeks from all walks of life together for the greater good of humanity by raising money for people experiencing crippling poverty around the world.  How much money, you ask?  Last year brought in over $880,000.00 USD, an amount they're looking to beat this year, with 14 days to go and a total at $681,441.00 USD, and ***ALL DONATIONS MADE TODAY BEING MATCHED*** I think this will definitely be a bar-raising year!

How can you join the fundraising mayhem?  Several ways, actually!  From online auctions, to buying things from Pat's store, The Tinker's Packs (where all proceeds go to charity all year long, every single purchase), or just by straight-up donating on the Worldbuilders page, where each donation of ten dollars gets you an entry into the massive lottery of donated books, games, and deliciously dorky miscellany.  Get to clickin' if you want to get your hands on some swag whilst helping people feed themselves, their families, and rescue their village's economy.  Even though sales through Pat's website are constantly put toward charity, this particular event ends December 14, 2015 11:59 PM UTC-11 so, go (!) and donate now if you don't want to miss out, especially if you want your charitable gift to be doubled (ends today!).

xoxo

DEADLINE EXTENDED!!! New deadline now December 18, 2015 11:59 PM UTC-11.

An opportunity to match donations up to another $200,000.00 was announced in the wee hours this morning, causing Rothfuss to sound the rallying cry to #BilboItUp for one last major push.  With the total now blown past ONE MILLION USD, this is yet another record breaking CRUSHING year for Worldbuilders, and Heifer International AND it's not too late for you to join the madness!