It's time to take a break from all the Gears of War posts and talk about something that actually matters in the big scheme of things. In 2003, the folks over at Penny Arcade started a charity drive that collected gifts which would be donated to children who were seriously ill and would be spending the holidays in the Seattle Children's Hospital. The Child's Play charity drive was not only a chance help some kids who really needed a reason to smile, but also a chance for the gaming community to show that we're not the slackers that the media so often makes us out to be, but rather caring, generous people, who just like anyone else are thrilled when we get a chance to help those in need. The drive was more successful than they ever dreamed it would be as gamers across the nation and the world opened their hearts and wallets for a good cause.
As the years have passed, the Child's Play charity drive has continued to grow, and currently accepts donations to 28 children's hospitals worldwide. Last year alone, gamers donated over $605,000 in cash and toys to sick children, and in doing so hopefully brought some joy into the lives of countless of sick children. I don't know about you, but I can't think of a better way to truly embrace the holiday spirit than in helping someone less fortunate than yourself.
"Since 2003, gamers have banded together through registered Seattle-based charity, Child's Play. Over a million dollars in donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children's hospitals across North America and the world have been collected since our inception. We collect no administrative fees or other charges, 100% of all gifts and donations go directly to our partner hospitals, to help make life a little brighter for a sick child. This year, we have continued expanding across the country and the globe. With over 25 partner hospitals and more arriving every month, you can be sure to find one from the map above that needs your help! You can choose to purchase requested items from their online retailer wish lists, or make a cash donation that helps out Child's Play hospitals everywhere. Any items purchased through Amazon or DStore will be shipped directly to your hospital of choice, please be sure to select their shipping address rather than your own. When gamers give back, it makes a difference!" - childsplaycharity.org
On November 2nd of this year, the 2006 Child's Play charity began it's annual holiday drive and to date has already raised over $50,000 in donations. The idea at it's base level is very simple. Go to the Child's Play Charity website here and pick the hospital you'd like to help. When you click on that hospital, you'll be taken to an Amazon.com wishlist that hospital has set up so you can see what toys and books the hospital could really use, and purchase them for facility. Amazon will ship your donation directly to the hospital, so there's little question that your donation will get to where you intended it to go. It's just that simple.
That said, when you have some time and a little free money, why not head on over to the Child's Play website and see how you can help out. Maybe it'll make up for all those times you fragged a buddy in Halo 2 because you thought it would be funny. Maybe.
