Over $500 was raised for children's literacy during a fundraising Dungeons & Dragons community game night. (Pixabay)

By Jordan Davidson

reading for the horde

Dungeons & Dragons night a huge success in supporting local children’s literacy

Mar 28, 2023 | 5:28 AM

NANAIMO — Dungeon masters and dragon enthusiasts have come together for child literacy.

Literacy Central Vancouver Island hosted a community night at Cliffside Brewery on Cliff St. in Nanaimo on Friday, March 24, where rounds of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) were played to support their child literacy programs.

Program coordinator Qui Sepulveda said the event was very popular and quickly sold out, with only 20 tickets available for what they hope is their inaugural event.

“The youth groups use Dungeons and Dragons as a tool to help youth engage with literacy skills. Reading, writing, math, problem solving, but they also act as really great groups to help build community, especially for youth who are neurodivergent.”

Sepulveda said while the final number is still being totalled, they raised at least $500, which they’ll use for snacks and transportation for their youth groups.

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Money was raised through tickets to play a game with an appointed dungeon master, while a draw was also held thanks to items donated from Commercial St. businesses.

“The majority of the youth that we serve come from low-income families, and so it’s really really important that we have food present, and it’s really really important that our parents, if they can’t manage transportation, that we can help them cover that cost.”

Board games like D&D are not only great at improving literacy skills but also touches on other important group skills.

“We practice a lot of social skills, a lot of collaboration, teamwork, and these youth groups, which is actually one of our most popular programs at Literacy, don’t have consistent funding.”

The idea for a D&D night came from one of their practicum students who quickly put the event together, with Cliffside Brewery donating their space for the event.

Sepulveda said thanks to the success of this event they plan on having another one in the summer, and are also considering a community event for kids followed by a 19+ event later in the evening, likely located at another brewery or similar establishment where alcohol is served.

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