Tech Industry solves community challenges at Hack for a Cause

The Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) in the Southern Willamette Valley is pleased to announce the 3rd annual Hack for a Cause. The event is a platform for the local tech community to offer their expertise to solve challenges in the local community. Participants of various skills and backgrounds are invited to register, join a team, and compete to solve challenges for prizes and community contribution. Students and professionals are invited to work side-by-side.

Eleven challenges were selected from dozens that have been submitted by local organizations and social service groups - looking to leverage technology to provide transformative public benefit.

Challenges from Egan Warming Center, White Bird Clinic, Emerald Compassionate Action Network, Trans*Ponder and Parenting Now were among those that were selected.

There are creative opportunities to help with Adventure! Children’s Museum, Step in [AR] Comics for the CIty of Eugene’s epark division, and wayfinding the murals that are now canvassed throughout Eugene’s cityscape. A solution for making on the spot donations to non-profits, and donations of food to prevent waste, are also projects for teams to find creative technical solutions. A 2.0 version of the 15th Night’s RAN (Rapid Access Network). This particular challenge was a highlight of the inaugural Hack for a Cause, making a huge impact the local homeless youth population.

Last year, Hack for a Cause attracted over a hundred local web developers, software engineers, business mentors, students, and digital creatives to “hack” at various challenges over a weekend. With the 11 challenges this year, funding from US Ignite to make prizes more attractive will make this year’s weekend event bigger. Allison Weatherly, Event Manager of the Technology Association of Oregon says “we expect a bigger turnout this year, with bigger results. We have amazing support from the community, including food donations from local businesses, to make this weekend long event a success. The DAC is an amazing host to our group, and the energy will be high as we work on solutions to make transformative public benefit to our community.”

On Friday April 6th at 6pm ad-hoc teams will form and then spend the weekend at the Downtown Athletic Club working to build mobile apps, digital art technology, websites, and campaigns to make the world a better place. Judging and awards will begin at 1PM on Sunday April 8th.

Anyone who wants to make the world a better place is welcome at Hack for a Cause including students, developers, and professionals with any type of skill. Volunteers, tech mentors, project managers are needed to help support the teams over the weekend.

2018 Hack for a Cause Event Details

The Hackathon will take place at the Downtown Athletic Club, 999 Willamette St, Eugene from April 7-9. Registration is available for participants and observers in advance at https://hackforacause.org Opening ceremonies will begin at 6pm on Friday with a welcome from Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis, keynote speaker Scott Turnbull from US IGnite, and a video highlighting all of the pitches from community advocates on behalf of each challenge. Final presentation and the awards ceremony will begin at noon on Sunday.

Tickets are available online now, and will be sold at the door.