Gamers met for an all-nighter on Blue Bonnet Circle this weekend to raise money for Cook Children’s Hospital.

The group gathered for an annual 24-hour board gaming event Saturday, October 25 at Collected Comics and Games, 3502 Blue Bonnet Circle.

Gamers of all ages attended, and the store provided drinks and food for participants.

Collected Comics and Games works with Extra Life, a charity group started in 2007 by a group of Houston area gamers. Proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to Cook Children’s Hospital. The event is held nation-wide once a year, and Collected Comics and Games is just one of many organizations that participate.

“This event is a big thing in the gaming community,” said Ethan Judd, event coordinator for the Fort Worth area.

Judd has participated in the event since High School, and this is his first year coordinating the event. He became more involved in the organization, he said, when his son, Ezekiel, died from a fatal chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 13. Judd and his wife had to pay high medical bills, but with the help of donations from others they made it through.

“I just like giving back, and it feels good to help others since others have helped us,” he said. “It is also fun to play games for 24 hours.”

Each year more and more people participate in this event, Judd said, and it is a good way to meet people.

An array of games are played including Dungeons and Dragons, Lords of Waterdeep, Warhammer 40,000 Conquest, Netrunner, and more. People socialize and play games provided by Collected Comics and Games but are also welcome to bring their own.

 “I actually just walked into the store and heard about this event," said David Larrasquitu, a frequent customer, gamer and avid comic book reader. “It’s actually pretty cool.”

Colby Westerburg and his son Cameron, who described themselves as “big gamers” said it was their first time in Collected Comics and Games. They had heard about the event through Meetup.com. Colby Westerburg said he enjoys events like these because of “the collaboration that happens when you play games with others.”

Cameron Westerburg said his favorite part is getting to meet people like him who are passionate about gaming.

Judd said he is part of the Dungeons and Dragons team for Extra Life, whose goal this year is to raise $50,000. Judd hopes to raise $1,000 through his individual page and efforts.

For more information, visit http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=105304 or  the Extra Life organization page at http://www.extra-life.org.