You are involved with Gamers Outreach Foundation, can you tell us a bit more about this organization?

I grew up in a family that stressed service.  I even remember not just raising money for our church house but actually building it. Also my 13 year old son is autistic so I think with those two things being a part of me, Xbox LIVE was an obvious way to bring people together in doing good for others.  As a result my friend Elaine (Ooopy) Beemer and I started Gaming4Others where we host Xbox LIVE Tournaments for charitable purposes.

It’s really rewarding but very difficult. So when Zach Wigal of GOF approached us last year about merging we were thrilled!  The other charity groups at GOF are Gamers for Giving which hosts huge live LANS that fund the GoKart initiative (gaming systems for hospitals), and Fun For Our Troops which provide games and systems for our soldiers overseas.  The new site is about to launch so keep checking gamersoutreachfoundation.org for opportunities to game and give!

Not only are you an Xbox MVP, you are also an Xbox Moderator, Ambassador and Gamerchix. Have these experiences been a good one or bad one for you?

They are amazing experiences!  I really love representing Xbox.  These programs, which I am honored to be a part of, are helping to make gaming a mainstream and acceptable hobby for all ages of males and females.  Think about it…often we hear that gaming is a waste of time but how often do most people spend in front of the television just staring at it?  Gaming is interactive.  It gets you up off the couch and connected with your family and friends where ever they are.  That’s the message I like to get out.

My kids are gaming online so, as a moderator, helping to keep that environment safe is also very rewarding for me.  Oh and did I mention that Kiki ‘kiki kat’ Lewis and I co-direct the GivingchiX?  It’s the charitable arm of the GamerchiX with the mandate of helping women’s and children’s charities.

With that being said, what is the weirdest/craziest thing you have ever read on the forums?

Well the weirdest I would never repeat, I’m just glad I can remove them from your sight!  And as for crazy, I always think it crazy when people say they are a moderator or a Microsoft employee or a developer.  It’s like they think we won’t notice.

If you had a chance to be a character from any of the games ever made, who would it be?

Well I hope this counts, but when I enjoy a game I also enjoy the lore that goes with it.  I love the Gears of War novels and highly recommend them.  There’s a Gear in the books that doesn’t appear in game…yet…(I hope that will change in future) Bernadette Mataki…they call her Bernie, although Baird calls her “granny”.  She has fought longer than any of them and she has her aches and pains but still stands along side them pulling her weight through the war.  I love her, she is a survivor.

Which title is getting the most playing time on your Xbox 360?

Ummm Netflix? Actually it would be Modern Warfare 2.  I still haven’t gotten through spec-ops though. I can’t do it myself and people tend to run out of patience with my extreme failtage.  I tend to like shooters.  I really love playing co-op campaigns also. Anytime there’s co-op I will watch your back and shockingly I’m not bad at it.  I don’t like taking the lead but I will do fine taking orders.

I remember when Halo 3 came out and three of my clan-mates baptized me by fire…taking me through Legendary with skulls on…all the way through in one night.  My heart beat at a high rate into the next day.  I had never played a games campaign mode before and I loved it.

How often do you find time to game?

Not very often I’m afraid.  I won’t play unless the kids are asleep or at school. Sometimes if they have friends over and are occupied then I will play.  Taking care of kids, home, grandkids, charities, forums etc is a lot to do.  I get some gaming in between all of that now and then.

What is a typical gaming session like for you?

It’s being in matchmaking with great people that are patient with the fact that your character is standing still because you are off helping your child with something.  It’s a lot of social chatter, a lot of laughing and tons of fun.  And I have to say, thank you, Valve, for creating “mommy mode” in the Left 4 Dead series. How great is it to be able to ask my game to play for me while I tend to the needs of my kids? More should follow in your footsteps.

Ok. One game. One shot. You vs Kiki Kat, what game are you playing, who wins and why?

Psssh the game could be PONG and Kiki would win!  I idolize her skills.  She is the quintessential female gamer.

Any fudgy, whoops I mean final thoughts or parting words?

Something sweet, eh?  There is a large metal sign in my house…it says “Be Nice”.  So, be nice…and patient, especially with our younger XBL gamers.  If you are being annoyed by their behavior, send them a message that you know they are above those inappropriate adult gamers they’ve heard and it’s not the example they want to follow.  Tell them to be helpful and respectful in game and soon they will have a friend list full of the most amazing people they’ve ever known.

We can help guide a whole generation of gamers to greatness!  And then they’ll want to participate in a gaming event for charity! Did I mention that charity gaming is my thing?

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