Desert Bus for Hope logo
Desert Bus 2025 Total Raised
$1,059,553.89
Desert Bus 2026 Begins Oct 23, 4 PM PT
141:03:39:58
Welcome to
Desert Bus 2026
Silent Auctions: Running the Gauntlet
November 12, 2023 at 06:41 PM PST
Posted by Soraya

Risking your life to traverse a series of difficult areas strewn with enemies does not sound like my idea of a good time. But for some reason, as soon as you take that same concept and say "you can do it in a video game!" it becomes exactly my idea of a good time. And maybe yours? That'd be great, since both of tonight's silent auctions celebrate the danger-gauntlets that have killed so many digital heroes.


Ceramic Goomba, Bob-omb, and Spiny

A set of three classic Mario enemies rendered in gleaming ceramic. There's a red spiny, a brown goomba, and a black bob-omb.

If you bring these home, be careful where you put them. Stomping on them like Mario does is absolutely not recommended. But treasuring these little minions and subverting them to your cause is absolutely recommended!

Ends at 2:00am PT


Slay the Spire Embroidered Wall Scroll

An embroidered wall scroll hangs on a blue background. The scroll is a plain off-white color, and at the bottom it shows the logo for Slay the Spire. A series of tracks leads up from the bottom of the scroll, with monsters from the game crowding at the edges.

The path looks so simple when you step back and view it from afar. But then you see all the monsters crowding in around the sides and remember why it's so hard (and yet so enticing...) to Slay the Spire.

Ends at 2:00am PT

Giveaway: Melty Sonic Pop Sweater
November 12, 2023 at 06:24 PM PST
Posted by Soraya
A large, oversized fleece sweatshirt. It's color-blocked in Sonic the Hedgehog colors: brown arms, white belly pocket, blue chest and back. And at the center is an image of a classic Sonic pop, looking melty with two green button eyes staring out at the viewer.

The worst thing about popsicles is that you can't hold onto them. If you tried, your fingers would get all sticky with colored juice and it would still melt, leaving you with nothing more than a stupid flat stick. How are you supposed to treasure precious memories if you can't even hold onto the popsicle!

Well, Melty Sonic Pop Sweater is here to provide your answer. It has summoned and then captured the very essence, the soul of the melty Sonic pop, right down to its boggly little off-center eyes. And unlike the original popsicle, you can not only hold onto it, but squeeze and pet it and murmur to it sleepily before bed.

Donate $6.23 (or multiples thereof) before 7:10pm for a chance to win the Melty Sonic Pop Sweater!

Alpha Flight is over for today
November 12, 2023 at 05:46 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

Alpha Flight's first full day is over here is what you missed

We stretched

We learned about ourselves

We made mischief

We overexerted ourselves

We did an auction

We gave Jacob a makeover

We found a mascot

And we enjoyed beer and snacks

We'll be back tomorrow at 12:00 PM PST see you there.

Giveaway: 2D TTRPG figures
November 12, 2023 at 04:57 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

Make you next RPG session super adorable with this collection of 2D acrylic figures from Invincible Ink! The pieces include 23 player character tokens based on the characters from Invincible Ink's game LFG- Looking for Group, and 11 monster designs.

These cute little tokens are made from 3mm thick transparent acrylic and printed on both sides. All of the tokens are sized for a 25mm/1" scale grid and friction fit into their bases, so they can be disassembled and packed flat for easy storage.

To enter donate $5.25 or multiples there of before 5:25 PM PST.

The New Alpha Flight Mascot
November 12, 2023 at 04:42 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

We asked, you delviered.  We got a ton of submissions for the Alpha Flight Mascot.

First some honorable mentions

Runner up 1

Danielle Mijo-Burch

Runner up 2

FrozenCapybara (pronouns she/her). 

And now your new alpha flight mascot is...

Natascha
Giveaway: MTG 30th Anniversary edition.
November 12, 2023 at 03:17 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

In celebration of 30 years of Magic: the Gathering, this commemorative 30th Anniversary Edition was released.  This booster box contains four booster packs. Each pack contains 15 cards with an alternate card back, and 1 token with limited edition Alpha art. The 30th Anniversary Edition contains most of the cards released in Alpha, Include cards like Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall, and the Moxen. A few cards were left off because the name or art does not meet current standards, but they did remember to print Volcanic Island! While these cards are not tournament legal they still work great to spice up your home games, or add some Power to your Cube!

This limited edition set had a small run and is no longer in print.

To enter donate $9.30 or multiples there of before 4:00 PM PST.

Sponsor thank you: Fantasy Cosmetica
November 12, 2023 at 02:40 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu
Logo for fantasy cosmetica

We would like to thank prize sponsor Fantasy Cosmetica.  Fantasy Cosmetica designs and sells fantasy inspired makeup lines.  From druids, to fighters, to sorcerers, and rogues, no matter who you are you'll find a color pallet to fit your next adventure.

Thank you Fantasy Cosmetica.

AUCTION ALERT!!!
November 12, 2023 at 02:01 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

Alpha Flight's first live auction is at 3:00 PM PST

We will be auctioning off this beautiful cross stich of Death from Netflix's Sandman

This cross stitch portrait features Death from the Sandman TV show as she has a heart-to-heart with her brother Dream. It aims to capture the warmth of the character rather than portray her as primarily stern and serious. Embroidered on hand-dyed fabric, it measures approximately 18" x 14" and took 285 hours to complete. The piece is framed in masterwork acrylic, which is lightweight, shatterproof, and protects it from UV rays.

This amazing cross stitch was made by Sarah Serinde.

Sarah has been a crafter since her early teens and a geek since she learned how to read, so it was only a matter of time until she found a way to combine the two. She also works as an editor, where she gets to be a geek about the English language. When she isn't busy with overly ambitious embroidery projects (and sometimes even when she is), Sarah is a moderator for Desert Bus, LoadingReadyRun, and several other communities. This is her thirteenth year contributing to the Craft-Along.

You need a donor account to bid.  Tune in live at 3:00PM.

ALPHA FLIGHT NEEDS YOU!!!
November 12, 2023 at 01:57 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

To give us suggestions.  Alpha Flight loves improv and we need suggestions to make that happen.  You can send your suggestions here: http://bit.ly/AlphaFlightImprov

Giveaway: Custom DB Skateboard
November 12, 2023 at 12:36 PM PST
Posted by Dan Wu

Do you like Desert Bus?  Do you like to grind rails?  Well now you can do both with this hand made Custom Desert Bus Skateboard.

This 8" by 31.6" (20.3 cm by 80.5 cm), 100% Canadian maple, medium concave skateboard has been hand-painted to depict the bus' journey into Las Vegas - driving on the left, of course - in the style of both a retro travel poster and the Desert Bus For Hope logo itself.
The skateboard has been mounted with a pair of forged aluminum Fury EVO 2 trucks on rubber shock pads, waxed 88A polyurethane bushings for minimal squeakiness,  and a set of 55mm 82a Ricta Clouds wheels with Bones Swiss bearings for a smooth, quiet ride both on the street and in the skatepark. And no, it DOES NOT lean slightly to the right [:
The board is shipped fully assembled and ready to ride, though it can be easily wall-mounted if desired.

Painted with acrylics in various methods, sealed in matte varnish.

To enter, donate $7.20 or multiples thereof before 1:35 PM PST.  Winner will be drawn at random.

Made by Yotam "Boofinka" Bernaz.