You can also use a VPS for this if you dont have a PI.
The node helps the network do transactions, and there is now 203 active nodes and counting.
Ethergem also just launched a sidechain #sapphire. Read more about it on bitcointalk
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5063954.0
Go to their Discord to get more information or troubleshoot the installation if needed.
