Popular Orillia video game streamer Cody Burnett recently used his platform to lend a helping hand to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia & District (BBBS).
“They reached out to me and said they needed some help raising funds for the organization as a bunch of fundraising events got cancelled (due to the COVID-19 pandemic),” Burnett explained.
Burnett's full-time job is live steaming on Twitch, a popular platform for gamers. About 140,000 followers tune in to watch him play Call of Duty on an almost nightly basis.
On a recent night of streaming, the Twin Lakes Secondary School graduate earned $4,100, including donations and tips, and handed it all over to BBBS.
Burnett had not previously done a charity stream, but he couldn’t resist helping out BBBS as their programs that foster and support mentoring relationships for children in the community hit close to home for him.
“It was a good opportunity because my fiancé, Shania, had a really good upbringing with them and was enrolled in (their) programs, which really changed her life and helped shape her into the (person) she is today,” Burnett told OrilliaMatters.
“It was a great opportunity to help.”
Burnett says he will definitely be doing more charity streams in the future.
“It’s nice to use my platform to help people, especially in Orillia, and give back to the town I grew up in,” he said.
The local charity's executive director, Lorie Roberts, was thankful for Burnett's assistance.
“It’s not the easiest of times for anybody, so for him to do that was very generous,” Roberts said.
The money raised by Burnett helps BBBS move forward financially while trying to figure out how they are going to raise further funding without their typical in-person fundraising events.
BBBS is also working hard to continue its programs for youth in the community in need of a positive mentor.
“Our matches are still able to reach out to each other virtually and we have been supporting them through that and are keeping in touch and providing activities and ideas on how they can stay connected,” Roberts explained.
“It’s a scary time for youth out there, so it’s important that we make sure they still have those connections.”
