Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – For families raising children with special needs in Jonesboro, finding an environment where kids can play without feeling overwhelmed can sometimes be a challenge. One business wants to help change that.

On Thursday, April 2nd, the Coin Goblin Gamers Lounge is hosting a community fundraiser from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with proceeds from the event going directly to Zachary’s Sensory Gym.

| READ MORE: A first-of-its-kind sensory gym is coming to Jonesboro

Co-owner Anya Setzler said the inspiration came directly from listening to their customers.

“I’ve connected with so many families in our community, and I’ve heard their experiences,” she said. “A lot of them just say they don’t have many [places] where they can just be themselves or not feel overwhelmed.”

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Many of these children have sensory processing disorders, which a lot of standard businesses are not equipped to accommodate. Setzler noted that a dedicated sensory gym would provide a safe space designed specifically for their needs, while also connecting parents who face similar challenges.

A gamer’s lounge is a surprisingly fitting host for the fundraiser. According to Setzler, a large part of the lounge’s client base consists of children with special needs.

“They enjoy playing video games a lot, and they prefer a smaller, more chill area versus something else that’s a little more overwhelming for them,” she said.

The response from the Jonesboro community has been massive. After posting about the fundraiser in a local Facebook group, the lounge was flooded with monetary donations and emails. Setzler said she was “pleasantly surprised” by the response, noting that many local business owners understand the need for this space firsthand.

“So many of our vendors and food trucks are parents to special needs children,” Setzler shared. “They are all so happy to see their children being represented and talked about.”

Attendees will be able to grab food from a variety of trucks offering BBQ, hot dogs, lemonade, snow cones, açaí bowls, Mexican food, and seafood. Shoppers can also browse goods from vendors selling baked goods, sublimation items, boutique clothing, jewelry, body care, and press-on nails, alongside face painting.

The lounge is still looking to add to the lineup. Interested vendors can message the Coin Goblin Gamers Lounge Facebook page or apply directly via their online vendor form.

In addition to the food and shopping, the event will feature a free photo booth and a raffle packed with over $600 in prizes from local businesses. Current raffle items include:

  • A $200 The Premium Cleaners gift card
  • A $125 Amy Pinkston-Moore Wellness massage
  • A $100 Visa gift card from Journey Health & Wellness
  • A $75 voucher for one month of dance classes at Studio 32
  • A $50 Locked Away Escapes two-person voucher
  • A $40 Lavender Lenses photoshoot voucher
  • A $25 Ultimate Air gift card
  • A $25 Scent & Myrhh gift card
  • A $25 Carrolls Candies gift card, plus three bags of candy

The immediate goal for the April 2nd fundraiser is to raise $2,000 to help Zachary’s Sensory Gym reach its overall goal of $100,000. For Setzler, a successful event spreads the word about the gym.

“That’s really all that matters to me, is getting them out, getting them further to their goals,” she said.

For those who cannot attend the event but still wish to contribute, Coin Goblin Gamers Lounge will be selling raffle tickets and accepting donations directly on their website. You can also make direct contributions to Zachary’s Sensory Gym by clicking here.

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