Team Liquid shatters Quarathon COVID-19 charity stream goal

After a weeklong charity stream, Team Liquid raised $72,615 towards coronavirus relief efforts.

Throughout the past week, Team Liquid streamers and players participated in a streamathon with the goal of raising $50,000 for Direct Relief. Called the Quarathon, the organization hoped the “quarantine stream marathon” would inspire their fans to help support people going through a “rough time” due to COVID-19’s impact. They went over their goal by over $20,000. 

Some of the participants included League of Legends pro Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen, StarCraft 2 player Dario “TLO” Wünsch, streamer Nurok, Dota 2 player Samuel “Boxi” Svahn, poker streamer Lex Veldhuis, CSGO pro Jackie “Stewie2k” Yip and PUBG pro Jim “Jeemzz” Eliassen.

“It’s important to support each other because we all have the same passion of gaming. During this time where we lack physical interaction we are able to double our cyber attention to fill the void,” Jeemzz told WIN.gg. 

Jeemzz and “the boys” streamed PUBG for five hours, doing fun in-game challenges like playing with only pistols. TLO took some time to play StarCraft at the highest level while educating viewers on various techniques. He echoed Jeemzz’s sentiments that the gaming community has a duty to support each other during this time. 

“The gaming community has a unique duty to help with social cohesion right now. Many people are lonely or feel isolated, gaming always has brought people together. Now more than ever we must show that we offer a friendly and open platform that allows people some respite from the current crisis,” TLO said to WIN.gg. 

Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization that’s active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries. Their mission is to improve the health and lives of people affected by emergencies, “without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.” To help aid with the coronavirus pandemic, Direct Relief is coordinating with public health authorities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to provide personal protective equipment and other items to health workers responding to COVID-19. 

This is a cause that is important to Jeemzz, who said there is “a lot to learn” about self care and compassion during these uncertain and troubling times. 

“It’s everybody duty to do what is within their power to help others,” TLO added. “COVID-19 makes it clear that we’re one human collective with the same problems around the world. We all can do our part to help everyone else, which helps ourselves as well.” 

Esports community continue to support coronavirus victims

Riot Games recently donated $1.5 million to local coronavirus efforts, helping Los Angeles county residents by supplementing costs of health care, childcare, and senior meals.The money also went towards various LA non-profits. 

Many South Korean players have also made generous donations to the cause, including LoL legend San-hyeok “Faker” Lee, who donated $25,000. American streamers have also pitched in, hosting charity streams over the past few months. Dota 2 touranment organizer WePlay! also hosted a charity event earlier this month.