Are you press that wants to talk to someone about Child’s Play?
Kristin Lindsay
klindsay@penny-arcade.com
206.274.0024
Since Child’s Play was conceived as a way to combat negative portrayals of gamers in the media, we’re eager to get the positive word out about gamers helping kids. Media are welcome to use any of the images from Child’s Play 2003 or any text on this site. The mini interview below was answered by Tycho and can be used for quotes. If you’d like to set up your own interview with the creators of Child’s Play, please contact Kristin Lindsay at klindsay@penny-arcade.com.
STUDENTS!We figure a good way to fix the negative press about gamers is positive press about gamers in student newspapers. Why? Because of who reads student newspapers: students and parents. A story that shows that gamers aren’t ticking timebombs would go a long way to repairing the damage caused by sensational negative media. We’d especially like to talk to student reporters; if you write for your school paper please get in touch with Kristin Lindsay at klindsay@penny-arcade.com. |
Q: What is Child’s Play?
A: Child’s Play is a Seattle based, gamer-run organization that holds
an annual toy drive for childrens’ hospitals. Many of the gifts
donated by gamers are, as you might imagine, age appropriate
videogames and gaming systems - but they are by no means the only
things donated. We received eager donations of coloring books, art
supplies, crafts, movies, cartoons, virtually anything a young person
could ask for. We asked the world-wide community of gamers, and they
gave so much we had to move to larger storage facilities three
separate times.
Our 2006 event raised over one million dollars in toys and cash for 40 children’s hospitals around the US and the world, putting the community’s total contribution level since our inception at the two million dollar mark. This year, we’ve expanded Child’s Play again, including more partners in the US and internationally.
Q: Who is behind Child’s Play?
A: Child’s Play was started by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of the online comic strip Penny Arcade, which concerns itself with videogames and gamer culture.
Q: Why did Penny-Arcade create Child’s Play?
A: Giving hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of toys to children in long-term care is its own reward. Past that, it’s a way to show a different side of people who play videogames as a hobby.
Q: How does Child’s Play work?
A: We have partnered with Amazon.com, which hosts a series of “Wish Lists” stocked with toys the hospitals have requested, as well as age appropriate videogames and game systems selected by Child’s Play. Simply choose the hospital nearest you from our interactive map at http://www.childsplaycharity.org and the toys you purchase will be delivered directly. We also accept cash donations via Paypal to childsplaycharity@penny-arcade.com, which will be used to buy additional equipment and split amongst the hospitals in this year’s drive.
Q: Where can I find more information about Child’s Play and its creators?
A: We welcome you to visit our online hub at http://www.childsplaycharity.org. Take advantage of the interactive map, choose the town nearest you and give a gift.
