Thanks4Giving: “G” is for Gaming and Giving

Give a little, take a little. We’ve already seen what the brighter side of gaming has to offer, with groups like ScrewAttack and Penny Arcade taking up the challenge of giving back to the community with their recently concluded PS3 auction, the proceedings of which went to the Child’s Play program.  And this time, we’re looking at gaming charity on a larger scale, as GameTap, Pledgeplay and Buy.com announce their Thanks4Giving program to kick the holidays off on the right track.

Started this November 21 and ending December 24, the program is hosted at the pledgeplay.com web site, and anybody who’s interested in helping out can just drop over to make a minimum $20 donation. Donors will receive four free weeks of GamTap’s entertainment network services, with $50 to $100 donations receiving either a free video game or accessory over at Buy.com – you get to choose.

Charities that visiting gamers can offer donations to include the CaringBridge and HopeLab charity groups, and three children’s hospitals: ChildrenÂ’s Healthcare, Atlanta; Rady ChildrenÂ’s Hospital, San Diego; ChildrenÂ’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle. “This joint endeavor is so unique and meaningful that it has garnered the support of such worthy philanthropic organizations,” said Neel Grover, President and CEO of Buy.com.

For the other gamers out there tired of all the bad rap we’ve been getting as some sort of social anomaly (You hear that, Mr. O’Reilly? We DO care!) or just think it’s about time we give back to the community, pass the message, and make this season as happy for others as it’s been for you.

Give a little, take a little. We’ve already seen what the brighter side of gaming has to offer, with groups like ScrewAttack and Penny Arcade taking up the challenge of giving back to the community with their recently concluded PS3 auction, the proceedings of which went to the Child’s Play program.  And this time, we’re looking at gaming charity on a larger scale, as GameTap, Pledgeplay and Buy.com announce their Thanks4Giving program to kick the holidays off on the right track.

Started this November 21 and ending December 24, the program is hosted at the pledgeplay.com web site, and anybody who’s interested in helping out can just drop over to make a minimum $20 donation. Donors will receive four free weeks of GamTap’s entertainment network services, with $50 to $100 donations receiving either a free video game or accessory over at Buy.com – you get to choose.

Charities that visiting gamers can offer donations to include the CaringBridge and HopeLab charity groups, and three children’s hospitals: ChildrenÂ’s Healthcare, Atlanta; Rady ChildrenÂ’s Hospital, San Diego; ChildrenÂ’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle. “This joint endeavor is so unique and meaningful that it has garnered the support of such worthy philanthropic organizations,” said Neel Grover, President and CEO of Buy.com.

For the other gamers out there tired of all the bad rap we’ve been getting as some sort of social anomaly (You hear that, Mr. O’Reilly? We DO care!) or just think it’s about time we give back to the community, pass the message, and make this season as happy for others as it’s been for you.