For the last six weeks, Urbana resident Julie Laut has been hosting a Friday night trivia game via Zoom. Starting with just a few close friends who have been playing trivia together for years, CU Lockdown Trivia has grown exponentially. From just four teams in three households on March 28th, the game had a record number of 124 people participating on 25 teams last week (April 24th). Many players say that the game has become a highlight of their stay-at-home weeks. While the majority playing live in the C-U area, some teams include friends and family from other parts of Illinois, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and even one player from Australia.
The goals from the start of CU Lockdown Trivia were two-fold: to bring people together online for much-needed community, and to support local organizations faced with funding challenges during the current crisis. Each week a different local service organization is highlighted, with Julie asking teams who have the resources to consider donating. Eastern Illinois Foodbank, the Cunningham Township Angel Fund, and CU FAIR have all been featured. Emily McKown, Executive Director of the Channing-Murray Foundation, talked to teams on April 17th about the work of feeding the most vulnerable families in our community through the work of The Bucket Brigade, which subsequently raised over $525 from CU Lockdown Trivia players.
Ashley Gregory, Operations Coordinator at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, will talk to players this Friday, May 1st, about childcare services the Museum is providing to essential workers. There is so much good being done within our community, and CU Lockdown Trivia is one way to have fun and support these crucial organizations.
If you would like to join CU Lockdown Trivia, send an email to Julie Laut at culockdowntrivia@gmail.com with your team name and the emails of everyone on the team who needs a Zoom invite to play (max six players per team). The game starts at 7:30 p.m. and consists of four rounds of 10 questions each, including general knowledge, themed rounds, and puzzle rounds. Donations are not required to play. Teenagers and up welcome!
Top image from Orpheum Children Science Museum’s Instagram.