NOLA Grown is hosting a unique event this Saturday at the Milne Recreation Center, merging a community gun buyback program with a city-wide video game tournament. The initiative aims to reduce gun violence while engaging the community through competitive gaming, offering attractive prizes for both participants and firearm turn-ins.
Key Takeaways
- Firearms can be exchanged for gaming prizes, with higher-value rewards for more significant firearms.
- Schools can earn STEM funding through student participation in the gaming tournament.
- The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Milne Recreation Center.
A Dual Approach to Community Engagement
The event, scheduled to run from noon until 4 p.m., presents a novel approach to community safety and engagement. Individuals can turn in firearms and receive gaming-related prizes. The value of the prize is determined by the type of firearm surrendered, creating an incentive for participation.
Prizes and Incentives
Top-tier prizes for the gun buyback include sought-after gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5, virtual reality sets, and Nintendo Switch systems. This tiered prize system is designed to encourage a broad range of participation.
Fueling Future Innovators
Beyond the gun buyback, the event also features a competitive video game tournament. Schools that field five or more participants will receive $250 for their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs. The school with the most participants will be awarded an additional $500 for its STEM initiatives. The overall tournament champion will also take home a PlayStation 5 console, adding another layer of excitement to the competition.
Sources
- NOLA Grown hosts gun buyback event with gaming tournament and prizes, FOX 8 Local First.
