Donor Spotlight: Mark Richardson

Emily Learned • Jun 04, 2021

The Coalition is consistently impressed with the creative ways our donors find to fundraise for our cause. We could not fulfill our mission without passionate people like Mark Richardson, more commonly known by his gaming name "Snowmanity." Mark regularly uses Twitch, the video game streaming platform, to raise money for the Coalition. We hope by reading Mark’s story, you will feel inspired to find creative ways to support homeless services in your community!

Q: Could you share a little bit about yourself?

I'm Mark, a 27-year-old Master of Social Work student at the University of Texas at Arlington. My favorite charity is the Coalition for the Homeless, and I love giving whenever I can. I am passionate about charity, making positive changes in the lives of individuals, and the media that aims to accomplish that change. Oh! I also really love walruses, dogs, and humiliating myself live to make a difference on my side of the internet!

Q: What motivated you to want to become a social worker?

Social work consists of so much. Getting a degree in social work provides many opportunities such as working on treatment teams for cancer patients, lobbying for positive systemic change on Capitol Hill, working with schools and families to maximize the well-being of students, and private practice therapy. Learning this, I realized that I could pursue my initial dream of becoming a therapist and do so much more helping with my desired Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credentials.

Q: How did you decide to use your gaming platform to raise funds for charity and when did you start?

I always wanted a means to give back and help people in some way. When I started a year ago, I realized that people enjoyed watching me and that this was a tangible way of facilitating greater change. I saw others doing charity streaming and chose to lean into that, giving half my earnings at first. Later, I chose to give all my Twitch earnings to charity. Why all? Well, to maximize a financial change I could facilitate! Oh, and because it's cool. Mostly because it's cool.

Q: Why did you choose the Coalition for the Homeless?

I chose the Coalition for the Homeless after researching highly regarded charities to give to. I do this to make sure my community gains the greatest possible from my donation. With this in mind, the Coalition was an easy choice. Plus, the person who contacts me from the Coalition always seems very passionate, and that keeps my fire lit. I adore you, anonymous Coalition spokesperson!!

Q: What is something you want people to know about the gaming community?

I want people to realize how diverse and charitable people who play video games can be. Twitch is a platform based on giving at its very core, some of the biggest gaming creators hold hugely successful charity events. Many gamers are people who want to give back.

< Older Post Newer Post >