THAT’S RIGHT, ANOTHER CHILD’S PLAY UPDATE – 1.13 MILLION DOLLARS!

You read that right folks, 1.13 million dollars. This year's Child's Play Charity drive has brought in $1,135,000 in toys, books, games and cash for children's hospitals around the world. That is downright amazing – and heart warming.

While the drive is now wrapping up for the year (there should be one last update to the total donations some time in January), there is always time to make a donation – many of the hospitals listed will continue to keep their wish lists updated throughout the year. The holidays may be just about over, but there are still so many kids out there who could use a smile or ten.

"I just got the final amount for Child's Play, which is… substantial: $1,135,000 in toys and cash. I said it was the final amount, but what we've seen in previous years is that this "final amount" climbs considerably after the event is finished. Money comes in from local events or community sites. For some people, the end of the event is an impetus to give. The lists typically stay up, as does the PayPal, and we see people choosing items in July. So as large as that sum is up there, it's not complete. Recall that this million is heaped upon the other millions we have raised, year over year, creating from nothing an engine of perpetual comfort that has generated $3,324,000 to date. We make Santa Claus a real person with Child's Play, that is our holy work, and each time we perform this charitable ritual he is real for a longer and longer duration." - Jerry "Tycho Brahe" Holkins

Whenever I see the numbers Child's Play generates, I'm proud to have played any kind of a role in this whole endeavor (No, I'm not egotistical enough to think that this site generates any kind of a spur in donations for Child's Play, I just refer to my own donations) – sure, each person may not be able to make a huge difference, but together, there's no limit to what we can accomplish.

So to those of you who have donated this year, or at any other time in the charity's history, take a bow – and the next time someone tells you that gamers are just anti-social, maladjusted slackers, give them 3,324,000 reasons to think again. While you're at it, be sure to give then the Child's Play Charity website address too – maybe next year's total can be even higher.

•  Child's Play Charity – Official website