Dungeons & Dragons to fight suicide demons in Jasper's Game Day in Howell

Fenway Jones and Jasper Curell were gaming buddies up until a year ago.

“Jasper was my partner in crime for games,” said Jones, 15, a Fenton High School freshman. “We really enjoyed playing Dungeons & Dragons together.”

She has been missing Curell since April 24, 2017, when the 16-year-old Saginaw boy took his own life.

Now Jones and a local game shop are teaming up to honor Curell’s memory with an event he would have enjoyed, while raising funds to prevent suicide.

Jasper’s Game Day is planned for April 21 at Ziege Games in Howell and will feature Dungeons & Dragons, as well as some role-playing adventure celebrities. All proceeds from the event benefit suicide prevention.

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Jessie Swinton said when she and Sarah Allen opened Ziege Games in June 2016, they saw about 10 to 12 Dungeons & Dragons players per week. That number has increased to about 50 players on Mondays and Fridays, the two days the game is offered at the shop.

Jasper’s Game Day will offer gameplay at every level, from beginners to advanced players. D&D celebrity guests Satine Phoenix and Ruty Rutenberg will host instructional seminars at the event.

“They have thousands of viewers every week on (streaming service) Twitch,” Swinton said. “Over the last couple years, there has been an explosion of growth in D&D, some attribute to (Netflix show) ‘Stranger Things,’ but these celebs do shows for an online community that has sprouted and made the hobby easier to get into.”

Jasper’s Game Day requires an advance ticket for access — with different time slots available for gameplay 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 3-7 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. Each time slot ticket is $10, seminars cost more. The event also features a silent auction, raffle and refreshments. All proceeds benefit Survivors of Suicide, Inc., in Saginaw.

“Every penny is donated to charity,” Jones said. “I wanted to honor him so that I could raise awareness and hopefully keep other friends and families from feeling the same grief and pain of losing a loved one.”

For more information, visit Ziegegames.com.

Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@livingstondaily.com Follow on Twitter @SusanBromley10