2024 is drawing into its closing act, which implies it’s as soon as once more time for Thankmas. The occasion — which includes avid gamers, celebrities and content material creators elevating cash for charitable companions — is that this 12 months partnering with Disaster Textual content Line and Samaritans, disaster hotlines based mostly within the U.S. and U.Okay., respectively, that supply support for these scuffling with psychological well being. 2024’s occasion might be held reside on the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles on December 6, with tickets going reside right now.
Created by YouTuber Sean “Jacksepticeye” McLoughlin in 2017, Thankmas has partnered with charities equivalent to Pink Nostril Day, World Central Kitchen, New Story and Charity: Water. Throughout the years, the occasion has raised over $25 million in whole, and raised $6 million for World Central Kitchen final 12 months. $6 million can be its purpose for this 12 months’s occasion. As earlier than, the occasion is hosted by the fundraising platform Tiltify, who added that the roster of creators taking part within the reside occasion can be introduced quickly.
Talking with GamesBeat, McLoughlin mentioned, “In 2023, Samaritans and Disaster Textual content Line volunteers spent greater than 1.4 million hours answering calls and texts for assist. I discuss very overtly about my very own psychological well being, together with struggles with melancholy, and the way prioritizing psychological wellness is vital. I’ve been going to remedy and I’m in a greater headspace, however entry to assist and assist was such a key a part of
my very own journey. The work Samaritans and Disaster Textual content Line do is so vital. So I’m glad to have the ability to work with them for Thankmas this 12 months.”
The significance of disaster hotlines
McLoughlin added, “The $6 million purpose for this 12 months will assist practice 9000 new volunteers throughout Samaritans and Disaster Textual content Strains to assist incoming calls & texts for folks in disaster. The funds will even be used to put money into {hardware} and software program to assist develop and improve the digital attain of those packages since reaching folks by on-line chat/textual content is paramount. Lastly, the funds will assist assist consciousness packages throughout a number of international locations and in faculties.”
Dena Trujillo, CEO of Disaster Textual content Line, and Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, each expressed their appreciation for Thankmas. Trujillo mentioned of the partnership, “Supporting psychological well being isn’t simply an act of kindness—it’s a robust technique to change and save lives. Each donation offers essential psychological well being assist and sources for many who are struggling. Thanks, Sean, to your unwavering dedication to creating a distinction in folks’s lives.”
Bentley added, “To be chosen as one in all solely two charities worldwide that may profit from Thankmas 2024 is extremely humbling. Our 23,000 great volunteers assist folks they’ll by no means meet
by way of their darkest instances, answering a name for assist to our listening service each ten seconds. It’s
becoming that they, in flip, might be supported by the kindness of strangers from everywhere in the world.”