It’s been four years of gaming and the Downtown Internet Lounge is celebrating its anniversary Friday by helping out a local charity.
The party runs from 2 p.m. to midnight and includes live DJs, live gaming, a magician, refreshments, a raffle and silent auction, with proceeds going to the Upper Room Mission’s backpack program.
“In appreciation for the support we’ve received since opening, we would like to give back to the community,” said Josh Brazier co-owner of the Lounge. “Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle will go towards buying goods for the mission’s Christmas backpack program which supports those in need in December, and our goal is to provide 50 backpacks to hose less fortunate.”
The backpacks will be filled with basic necessities such as socks, gloves, hats, scarves, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, dental floss, small packs of Kleenex, soap, gum and candy, and all of the money generated through the raffle and silent auction will go towards purchasing backpacks and filling them with goods.
All of the proceeds from the raffle and silent auction will be used to purchase material to fill the backpacks which will be dropped off at the mission just prior to Christmas Day.
As part of the event, there will also be live DJs live gaming, retro gaming on the street, a magician, henna tattoos, food and birthday cake for everyone.
The live DJs will be set up in front of the Lounge on 30th Avenue and will play from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., with music provided by 13th Floor Entertainment and their local artists. This will also be part of Vernon’s Downtown Avenue Market, so there will be lots to check out.
“The reason we have been in business for all these years is due to the fact that the community continues to support us,” said co-owner John Oh. “Our way of saying thanks is paying it forward to organizations in need.”
If you would like to donate a backpack or make a donation towards filling the backpacks, please drop it off at the Internet Lounge any day of the week.
“Every person who comes by also will receive a free hour for computer or gaming use on their account,” said Oh.
They are also offering an additional three free hours for anyone who drops off a new or gently used backpack.
The Downtown Internet Lounge is at 2919-30th Ave., next to the Towne Cinema and Italian Kitchen. The Lounge focuses on internet use, online pc and console gaming, printing, scanning and computer repair. They also have a wide selection of gaming merchandise and computer accessories.
Donations of prizes have been made by the following businesses: a one-night stay courtesy of the Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott; gift cards from Staples, Bean to Cup, Famous Players, The Towne Cinema, Top Choice Pizza, Howard Johnson Enderby, Electric Paper Company, Ebenezer’s, Marble Slab, The Ricebox, The Naked Pig BBQ and Smokehouse, The Italian Kitchen, The Book Nook, The Cracked Pot Coffee Emporium, Record City Eclectibles, Spruce Salon, J-Don Japanese Donburi Cafe, The Bean Scene Coffee House, Maharoba Japanese Restaurant, Wings Tap and Grill, The Phoenix Steak House and more.
“There will also be a number of prizes available from the Internet Lounge including merchandise from pop culture notables such as Minecraft, League of Legends, Marvel, Star Wars, The Simpsons, Mario, Despicable Me and Adventure Time,” said Brazier. “A new Razor gaming mouse and two free computer repairs will also be up for bid in the silent auction courtesy of James Boschman, owner of Downtown Computer Services located within the Internet Lounge.”
While the focus of the party will be Friday from 2 p.m. to midnight, the silent auction and raffle will run until Sunday at 4 p.m.
