We're happy to announce a quartet of visitors during Desert Bus for Hope 2025! Say hello to our three returning friends, and a fresh new person to bring to the Store, or whatever traditions we can submit them to in the course of a couple hours.
Edit: We've been notified that Nelson has visited thrice! Astute viewers will have seen him previously at DB7, DB8, and DB2023. Each time was brief, so revel in extended Nelly hours this year.
Jordan Hopkins
Saturday November 15 & Sunday November 16, 6PM - 10PM
You may recognize Jordan from over 10 years of service at Desert Bus for Hope including a stint as the Comms Director and several years of deeply cursed puns on Night Watch. This year Jordan can't be around the whole week but he wanted to still spend some time bussin' with the rest of us! When he's not found at Desert Bus for Hope, you can find him as a Social Media Manager for Wizards of the Coast working on Magic: The Gathering!
https://bsky.app/profile/jordanhopkins.bsky.social
Jared Nyberg of Jagasilk
Monday November 17, 5AM - 9AM
Jared Nyberg is co-owner of JagaSilk, a maccha specialty company that directly sources from small farms in Japan. They mill, roast, blend and ferment. He is also the president of the International Tea Appreciation Society that puts on the annual Victoria Tea Festival Revival, and is the band leader of Truth and Dolphin, who are currently on their Musical Tea for Peace Tour (performing their unique brand of Theatre-folk-rock with a Tea Artist making Kung Fu Tea while also raising money for Save the Children).
https://www.instagram.com/jagasilk/
Nelson Salahub
Tuesday November 18, 10AM - 2PM
Nelson started performing at the age of ten as Santa Claus in the school holiday revue. He took an interest in the trombone during high school and went on to receive a bachelor of music from Uvic. Careers in music being as hard to manage as you’ve heard, he landed in a local game store after university and managed magic: the gathering tournaments for a decade. He’s been involved with LoadingReadyRun since as far back as 2013 and can be found goofing around on various live streams and YouTube videos.
https://www.twitch.tv/coachnelly
https://www.youtube.com/@nelsonsalahub
https://bsky.app/profile/coachnelly.bsky.social
Travis Eriksen of Child’s Play Charity
Friday November 14, 3PM - 7PM, Saturday November 15, 4AM - 8AM, Sunday November 16, 11AM - 1PM
Travis Eriksen began his journey with Child's Play Charity in 2016, where he serves as Executive Director. Formerly a dedicated middle school math and Career and Technical Education teacher, Travis transitioned his passion for education into a role advocating for children's health and well-being through gaming. His time at Child's Play has been marked by expanding its impact globally, promoting the therapeutic benefits of gaming including pioneering a new career path within children's hospitals. His advocacy continues to shape the charity's mission, empowering children through the power of play.