A Giving Tuesday Message from Our Community

The Community
Dec 1
3 min read

Our Executive Director Interview for Gamers Give

In just one week, BESN X Community will open the doors to something this city has never seen before.

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On December 9, 2025, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, we will officially launch the BESN X Community STEM Center at 1256 Broadway Street in Toledo, Ohio — a safe space built for youth, families, creators, and community members to explore esports, game development, AI, and emerging technology.

This moment has been years in the making. It represents persistence, partnership, and the belief that innovation and equity belong everywhere, especially in historically underserved neighborhoods.

As we approach our opening, we want to take a moment to reflect on our impact this year, share what’s ahead, and ask for your support as we close out 2025.

A Year of Impact and Growth

In 2025, BESN X Community worked directly with youth, families, and partners across Toledo and beyond. With programs in esports, game development, visual arts, AI, and workforce readiness, we have:

Provided programming to youth through the Believe Center, Sofia Quintero Art & Cultural Center, Empowered AI, Kool Kat Science, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Lucas Metropolitan Housing
Developed community-led game content through Park Quest
Entered production on our HHIE (Hip Hop Influences Everything) film series, capturing stories from the Esports & Creator Summit and DreamHack Atlanta
Hosted workshops, showcases, and youth program enrollment events at 1256 Broadway Street

Most importantly, we continued to show up where our community needed us most: at the dinner table.

Giving Tuesday

With the SNAP disruption and rising food insecurity, Gamers Give became a lifeline for families across the Old South End. We distributed food, meals, produce, youth kits, and winter essentials to hundreds of households with dignity and care.

These efforts are only possible because of our partners, donors, board members, volunteers, and supporters from near and far.

3rd Annual Gamers Gives Holiday Event

December 19, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 PMThe Believe Center

The Final Event of the Year: Gamers Give Holiday Distribution on December 19

Our final event of 2025 will take place ten days after our grand opening.

On December 19, 2025, BESN X Community will host the Gamers Give Holiday Edition, providing:

Holiday meal boxes
Pantry items
Winter kits for children and families
Hot meals at our center
Safe, youth-friendly activities during distribution

This effort will once again support households through Lucas Metropolitan Housing, The Believe Center, and SQACC, ensuring families across the city receive support heading into the holiday season.

A Giving Tuesday Message from Our Community

As we prepare to open our doors and end the year strong, we are asking for your support this Giving Tuesday.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is not just a campaign. It is a moment of choice.

Will we create spaces where youth in Toledo have access to the same opportunities as youth in major tech cities? Will we stand with families facing hunger and hardship this holiday season? Will we invest in work that is led in the community, for the community?

Your donation today will:

Fund food boxes and holiday support for families
Equip the STEM Center with technology, furniture, and hardware
Support youth programming and family engagement well into 2026
Provide safe, creative spaces for youth to learn, grow, and imagine

Every gift matters.

$25 supports a family meal kit.$50 supports a youth enrollment scholarship.$250 sponsors a full Gamers Give family distribution package.$1,000 supports a technology station in our STEM Center.

We are asking every neighbor, business, foundation, and partner to join us in building this space for Toledo.