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Submitted by Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics

Game Night to Remember is almost here again, and this year is shaping up to be even more memorable! Starting at 11:00 a.m. on October 7 and going for a full 24 hours until 11:00 a.m., Oct 8, volunteers will be leading the event at the iconic Lacey game store, Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics.

Gabis Olympic Cards and Comics
CJ Pearce with her parents, Nick and Corinne, in 2007. Nick Pearce passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 at the age of 61. Photo courtesy: Catherine J Pearce

Catherine “CJ” Pearce created Game Night to Remember after losing her dad, Nick, to Alzheimer’s in 2014. Nick Pearce was diagnosed with the disease in his late 50’s and passed away at a young 61-years-old. This experience drove CJ to jump in and find a way she could contribute to finding a cure.

Over five million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and there is no preventable cause, no cure, and no viable treatment. “I was astounded when I contacted the Alzheimer’s Association and starting finding out facts about the disease,” CJ said, “it is the third most deadly disease in Washington state.”

CJ wanted to create an event that would draw attention to Alzheimer’s, and also represent her family and her dad. “I have such fond memories of playing games as a family, and my dad and I would always try to be the silliest. We made each other laugh so hard. Even if we were all playing competitively, secretly my dad was always on my team and giving me little clues so we could win together.”

This spirit of fun and community is abundant at Game Night to Remember, and Gabi’s Olympic Cards and Comics is the perfect family-friendly venue to help create that environment! With thousands of games, including hundreds of open box games to play, there is endless fun for the public to join in. Community members are also welcome to bring their own board games and “challenge” the team of volunteers. The event attracts everyone from avid to casual gamers, such as Amanda Jones, who is returning as a volunteer for her second year despite not considering herself a “gamer”.

Gabis Olympic Cards and Comics
CJ Pearce (left) and volunteer Amanda Jones (second from right) strike a pose between turns at 2016’s Game Night to Remember. Photo courtesy: Cast + Forge Photography

“I’m not a huge game fan so I had planned (in 2016) to support the fundraising efforts by running to get people things,” Amanda explained. “However, the volunteers’ passion and genuine interest in helping the cause was so infectious that I ended up joining them and playing for 24 hours. The time flew by, the company was amazing, and we met so many incredible people coming in and out of the event, many with stories of their own.”

Of course, perhaps the biggest draw of the event is what can be won! This year there will be over $2000 worth of prizes for winners to take home. Local businesses have sponsored by offering up gift cards, baskets, and unique products. Gamers and geeks will be pleased with the prize selection as well; collectibles range from rare 1960s games, to brand new titles released only weeks before the event.

So what kind of gaming should one expect at Game Night to Remember? Everything from traditional games like Yahtzee, to popular party games like Codenames, to niche games like Magic: The Gathering, and anything else in-between! This year will also feature a new event, Pub-style Trivia, so come as a team or join a group once you arrive.

Accompanied kids and families are welcome and encouraged to attend, and there will be dedicated “kids time” from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. For those 3 hours, games specifically for younger audiences will be hosted, and dozens of prizes just for kids will be given away! Local company Cast + Forge Photography will also have a “photo booth” during this time for capturing fun family memories!

Gabis Olympic Cards and Comics
Volunteers and community members share a laugh during a particularly funny moment at Game Night to Remember. Photo courtesy: Cast + Forge Photography

Game Night to Remember is absolutely free for the public to attend, though the goal is to raise as much money as possible to stop Alzheimer’s, so we encourage everyone to bring donations! 100 percent of all proceeds go directly to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Game Night to Remember takes place on Saturday October 7, starting at 11:00 a.m., and will end on Sunday October 8, at 11:00 a.m. The address for Gabi’s Olympic Cards and Comics is 4230 Pacific Ave., Lacey.

If you are interested in becoming an event sponsor by donating product/gift cards please contact Catherine Pearce at cjanepearce@gmail.com.

The fundraising site for Game Night to Remember is http://goo.gl/n2qZ5r

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