Child's Play

It's November now, and as another year draws to a close, the minds of most folks are starting to think of holiday gifts and of how they can help others. It's the spirit of that which brings you this story. Some of you know the web comic "Penny Arcade". What you may not know (especially if you don't read the strip) that they have an annual charity event called "Child's Play".

This is a program that benefits various children's hospitals across the country. Basically what happens is a children's hospital creates a wish list on Amazon.com and the Child's Play website links to the various lists around the country. This is where you come in, as you can buy a gift from these lists, and it directly goes to help out a kid whose life has taken them to a hospital. The gifts and games from these lists can definitely bring some fun into their life. If you've spent any time at a hospital yourself, you know it's not the most fun thing around.

Here's some text from their site about their program:

Since 2003, over 100,000 gamers worldwide have banded together through Child's Play, a community based charity grown and nurtured from the game culture and industry. Over two 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.

This year, we have continued expanding across the country and the globe. With over 45 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 will be shipped directly to your hospital of choice, so please be sure to select their shipping address rather than your own.

When gamers give back, it makes a difference!

If you've never checked out this program, you should. Special kudos go out to the Penny Arcade guys for coordinating this program. Take a minute, and look over the lists for a hospital in your area (or one that's not, there's no restrictions). Have a heart, and help out a kid who is less fortunate than you. Someone who would really enjoy the gift of gaming.

Posted by Joe Siegler at 4:29 PM | Discuss this story on our forums