Since 2003, Child’s Play, a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in their network of over 100 hospitals worldwide. Over the years, the community has answered the call and come together to raise millions of dollars.
Child’s Play was founded in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of the online comic strip Penny Arcade, which concerns itself with video games and gamer culture. In response to the media’s negative portrayal of gamers, Krahulik and Holkins called for the gaming community to donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital during the holiday season. The response was overwhelming: within weeks, they had a garage packed full of toys, games, and gifts to brighten the holiday of many sick kids. In 2003, they raised $250,000; a number that has grown each year. Since then, the gaming community has raised millions of dollars, put together hundreds of community fundraisers, and changed the lives of countless children.
Child’s Play works in two ways. With the help of hospital staff, they set up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids.
Child's Play is dedicated to improving the lives of children in hospitals and domestic abuse shelters around the world through the kindness and generosity of the video game community and the power of play. Child’s Play is always striving to pursue new opportunities and expand the positive impact of the cause. This includes consistently researching and pursuing alternate fundraising channels, new donation platforms, additional events and better community support.
Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, they purchase new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. These donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience.
Child’s Play has received incredible feedback from family, caregivers, friends, and patients regarding the positive influence of games during hospitalization. Studies have shown that children able to play games while undergoing painful procedures request less pain medication. Technology like the Kinect and Wii Balance Board allow for children to participate in physical therapy activities in an enjoyable, approachable environment. Children also struggle with a lack of normalcy or routine during hospital stays; being able to play a multiplayer game with a sibling or play a handheld system during a late-night treatment helps ease these additional stresses.
