If you didn't know already, Child's Play is a charity organized by the fine gents behind web comic Penny Arcade back in 2003. Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins created it help the kids of the Seattle Children's Hospital, but it also served to show that gamers are generally good people. Now in its fifth year, the charity has grown to benefit hospitals in over 25 states and five countries, and new partners are being added constantly. 

Last Tuesday, they held their fifth annual Child's Play Charity dinner auction and managed to break all previous records with a total of $225,000 earned in one evening. This helps put the current running total for this year's drive at more than $850,000. If you want to help them hit the $1 million mark, please donate before December 31st.

Hit the jump for the highlights of the auction included in the full release. 

Seattle, WA, December 17, 2007 – Anticipation reached a fever pitch at the fifth annual Child's Play Charity dinner auction on last Tuesday night, as more than 400 video games industry leaders and community enthusiasts crowded into the Washington State Convention and Trade Center's sky bridge to bid on 16 announced lots and three secret auctions to support sick children in more than 45 hospitals in six countries around the world. The result? -- An incredible $225,000 total for the evening, breaking all previous records for the event.

 

Evening Highlights: 

 

--  During the auction of a UNSC-branded duffel bag loaded with rare Halo merchandise, Bungie Studio's Frank O'Connor approached the stage to add in the Recon Armor, a rare digital upgrade for Halo 3 players formerly only available to Bungie employees and select community members, pushing bidding even higher to close at $5,800.

 

--  The impromptu addition of a plush Weighted Companion Cube and tour of game developer and publisher Valve Corporation's offices urged bidders on during the auction of its lot of The Orange Box merchandise, which eventually sold for $2,500.

 

--  An impromptu auction was attempted on Penny Arcade writer Jerry Holkins' pants.

 

Tuesday night's enthusiasm combines with other donations to make the current running total for this year's drive more than $850,000, putting last year's record of just over a million dollars within easy reach.  Further donations for this year's Child's Play Charity drive will be accepted until December 31, 2007.

 

 

About Child's Play: Child's Play is a non-profit organization begun in 2003 by Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins, the creators of the Penny Arcade comic strip, as a way to help sick children and show the world the softer side of people who play videogames. Through the generosity of gamers and the videogame industry, Child's Play has raised over two million dollars in toys, games and cash for sick children through an ongoing online toy drive and annual charity auction. Now in its fifth year, Child's Play is developing a worldwide network of beneficiary Children's Hospitals in order to brighten hospital stays for children internationally. For more information go to www.childsplaycharity.org.