Online gaming community raises more than $2,000 to help flood victim rebuild
By Kate Devine
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WICHITA, Kansas (KAKE) — What started as an online gaming community has turned into a lifeline for a Wichita man recovering from recent flooding.
After floodwaters damaged Earl Anderson’s home, members of his online gaming alliance — many of whom he has never met in person — raised more than $2,000 to help him pay for repairs.
The support came just months after Anderson suffered a minor stroke, something he said left him relying on the friendships he built while playing the mobile game “Last War.”
“I’m getting all the support from my team and Alliance this game I’m playing, and I’m appreciating them, and I’m loving them, and it’s my escape from that,” Anderson said. “It was just allowing me to calm down.”
Then the flooding hit.
Anderson said water quickly overtook his property.
“The house is level, so all the water rushed and covered the entire yard, covered things like our gazebo. Our back room was entirely flooded, where we sleep, everything,” he said. “So, I got online again and said, ‘Hey, you know, life’s once again playing fun with me,’ and explained I’m not going to be on as much as I usually am.”
Instead of simply offering encouragement, members of the gaming alliance decided to help financially.
Mike Middleton, who lives in Wasilla, Alaska, said members of the group spend a great deal of time together online, even though they’ve never met face-to-face.
“He told us what was actually happening, the total flooding, and his house was being destroyed,” Middleton said. “We spend a considerable amount of time together as a group of people talking, and a number of our group — it wasn’t my idea — but a number of our group suggested that we essentially do what we can on top of just sending him our best wishes.”
Middleton said helping someone in need was an easy decision.
“I think that, honestly, one of America’s greatest core strengths is looking out for each other,” he said. “Putting the other stuff aside doesn’t matter when someone’s in danger or there’s a natural disaster. You just do what you can to help.”
The fundraiser has now raised more than $2,000 to help Anderson recover from the flooding.
He said the money will go toward nearly $3,900 in repairs, including work needed to restore his gas service after flood damage.
According to Anderson, the support has come from people across the United States and around the world.
“From Alaska to New York, sea to shining sea, all 50 states,” Anderson said. “Texas, Colorado, Arizona, California, Florida, South Carolina. They’re from everywhere. They’re from Canada, they’re from South America, they’re from Central America, Spain. They’re from the entire planet on this game, having fun.”
As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Anderson said the experience reminded him what matters most.
“It speaks to humanity and America, and just people, human beings, being human beings,” he said.
Anderson hopes others take one simple lesson from his story.
“I want people to know that even if you have or haven’t lately, say hi to a stranger,” he said. “You never know what a small act of kindness can mean to someone else.”
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