If you’re a gamer looking to spread a little holiday cheer this season, look no further than Child’s Play – a charity established by and supported by the gaming community. Started in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of the popular web comic Penny Arcade, Child’s Play collects video games, books and other toys for kids in hospitals all around the world. “Gabe” and “Tycho”, as they’re known online, were tired of all the negative publicity gamers got, and wanted to prove the gaming community was not just a bunch of weirdos sitting in their mother’s basements, hunting around for the most violent games they could get their greasy hands on – as the media sometimes likes to portray them. Mike and Jerry wanted to show that gamers could band together, open their hearts and make a difference in the world. Fast forward to today, where over 7 million dollars in donations have been collected and the organization works with over 70 Children’s hospitals in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the U.K. and even Egypt.
Donating to Child’s Play, which has just kicked off their 2010 drive, is easy. Head to ChildsPlayCharity.org and you can donate via Paypal, find out where to send a text to support to cause, or even choose a hospital and make a purchase from their Amazon wish list. No amount is too small, and just think about the smiles you’ll be inspiring on the faces of some poor kids stuck in the hospital over the holidays.
So if you have a little cash to spare after your shopping frenzy this year, consider passing on a little joy to a sick child. Give a couple bucks via Paypal, or do what I did and buy one of your favorite titles for one of the participating hospitals. Spread that gaming joy. You’ll make a kid, and yourself, a little happier this holiday.
