Have You Ever Used Omaze?

For a few years, I’ve heard talk show hosts promoting a website called Omaze. It’s a website where anyone can donate to a specific item linked to a specific charity, and the amount you donate determines the number of entries you get in a virtual lottery for a special item or experience.

I’ve always thought it was a cool concept, and there are tons of celebrities who donate unique experiences. But I’ve never been compelled to actually donate…until now.

The item is a game night with Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard. This delightful couple has been unabashed about their love for board games, particularly Settlers of Catan. I love that they wear their geek on the outside, and that they do it together.

While I like Bell and Shepard–at least, I like who they seem to be based on various talk show appearances, TV shows, and movies–I’m not one to get all giddy about celebrities. What tipped me over the edge of making a donation is that in the very slim chance that I won, I thought it might be fun for me to represent the Stonemaier Games community in such a rare opportunity.

I could let fans vote on the game I bring to the game night (I’m happy to play Catan, but it would be neat for Bell and Shepard to also try something new), and maybe a Stonemaier supporter could join me on the “double date.”

Basically, I thought it would be neat for an ambassador of the gaming industry to have an evening of gaming with two well-known celebrities who like to play games. Am I the best representative for the industry? Absolutely not. Would I at least not embarrass us all? I think I can manage that.

Have you ever donated to Omaze, and if so, what were you hoping to win? What game do you hope the winner of the Bell/Shepard game night plays with them?

5 thoughts on “Have You Ever Used Omaze?”

  1. I have not, It just has felt shady to me, and after reading your article I found that they keep 20% of the donations. However they have raised a large amount of money for various good causes.

    Ever since I’ve read articles on how Money donated to disasters to the Red Cross most likely don’t end up used for that disaster, and they can’t report on how that money is used, and other other Large national charitable foundations spend a lot of their money on overhead, Like the Wounded Warrior project whose leaders were fired last year.

    I like to give to more local charities where I can see the impact they are making.

    Reply
  2. I’ve never donated to Omaze, but I hope you win and represent Stonemaier well! If you win, you should definitely mess with them. Something like, “Hey guys! I brought ‘Twister’…and guess what. We’re only using half the board!” (Jamey pulls out the actual board game and gives Dax a creepy wink and smile.)

    Reply
    • Thanks Trev! Ha ha…I bet they’d laugh at the Twister joke if I tried that. 🙂

      I wonder if they’ll have security present? After all, they’re inviting strangers into their home (or wherever they’re hosting the game night).

      Reply
  3. I think it’d be awesome if you won! Dax and Kristen seem like good people, and I’ve been a fan of each of them for years. It’d be nice if they opened their horizons and moved past Catan, so maybe you could show them what whole world of amazing games they are missing out on!

    Reply

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