Over the past seven years, the Star Trek CCG: Second Edition players from Minnesota and our neighboring states have managed to keep at least one life-changing New Year's Resolution: to do all we can in one day to help those that are less fortunate. While several of these kind-hearted "frozen chosen" offer assistance throughout the year individually, collectively we have all played a role in an ongoing miracle simply by getting together over New Year's to play the game we love. And now you too can pitch in, as we cordially invite anyone who can join us to do so in two weeks at the 8th Annual New Year's Charity Draft tournament!
Now approaching its eighth consecutive year, this sealed deck event had its humble beginnings in January of 2007 when, following a successful title run at the August 2006 Second Edition World Championships, Caleb Grace took it upon himself to use his card related winnings for the greater good. In what can only be classified as a tremendous outpouring of support, more than 20 retired, semi-retired, and active players showed up to throw down a handful of games, and in the process ended up raising just over $500 for his charity of choice, Feed My Starving Children. Following the rousing success of that first tournament, greater MN-Land has kept the New Year's tradition alive and raised, through the consistent generosity of the attendees and the spontaneous format improvisation of the tournament directors, over $5,000 in total for Feed My Starving Children (sponsored from 2007 to 2010) and In the Spirit Prison Ministries (sponsored from 2011 onward.) And now we're hoping to make this annual event bigger and better than ever before by asking the global player base to help us be a miracle to a family in need half a World away and to have a great time in the process!
Taking place this year at TBG Headquarters in Coon Rapids, Minnesota at high noon on 1/1/14, this anything but typical tournament will see Charity Draft participants randomly assigned a starter deck and booster packs from which to craft their creations, spanning the following expansions: Premiere, Call to Arms, To Boldly Go, These are the Voyages, In a Mirror, Darkly, and finally What You Leave Behind. While attendees are encouraged to make a $20 donation at registration to cover the various product expenses and to help us collectively sponsor a family of typhoon victims in the Philippines for roughly $100 USD a month due to the exchange rate, there are no explicit fees to participate in this event; any amount that can be spared will gladly be accepted and passed on to ISPM. Lastly, as teased above, in accordance with tradition the New Year's Charity Draft will once again see a pair of "house rules" implemented that are sure to bring out the angle shooter in all of us and prove that, in this environment, literally anything can happen… and it probably will! For those seeking a clearer definition, the once a year stipulations for this extravaganza are as follows:
(1) There will be no headquarters reporting restrictions - That means your drafted card pool and your imagination are the only limiting factors when determining who will attempt your missions. Want to mix your Bajorans with their hated oppressors the Cardassians? No problem. Want to throw a birthday party for Bones over in, say, the Omarion Nebula? Sure thing. Enjoy it. Just be mindful that ship affiliation staffing requirements remain enforced; so a Klingon, Denobulan, and a pair of Remans won't be able to find the ignition switch inside that Borg Sphere of yours.
(2) Round by round pairings will be anything but random - Which means from the first through the final round, attendees will have the opportunity to bid their way into, or out of, a game against any non-previously played opponent; from a former World Champion to a best friend, or both. Also worth mentioning, as part of the running "To Be the Man, You Gotta Beat the Man" Challenge, any participant to face and defeat a former World Champion over the course of the day will win extra prizes! Additionally, as a directly intended consequence of this stipulation, players may also donate to pair up their friends and rivals with other attendees, so remember to bring a few extra bucks to ensure you get your shot at a former World Champion or to toss your rival under the bus by pairing him or her up with one. Either way, it's perfectly legal because on this day everybody's got a price!
So, if you're looking to make New Year's plans that will be both heart-warming and hilarious, head north to Minnesota and help us help a family in need this holiday season through our 8th Annual New Year's Charity Draft. Pre-registration is now open and can be done via the tournament page or either of the current or historical forum threads. Can't be here in person to partake in the festivities? No need to worry; anyone can submit a tax deductible donation to the cause via Paypal on ISPM's donation website in any $5 USD increment. Just be sure to note "Charity Draft" in the subject line and it will be included in our running total.
In closing, I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank everyone who's been a part of the New Year's Charity Draft in the past, and to thank in advance all of those folks both near and far who will be participating or monetarily supporting the event this year. Both FMSC and now ISPM have greatly benefited from your philanthropy and your generosity has not and will not be forgotten. With that said, all I have left to say is, when it comes to the 8th Annual New Year's Charity Draft, you… gotta… be… THERE!
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