One of the coolest charities around (and the world's largest game charity) has just kicked off for 2007.

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. 

"For the first ten months of the year, our community makes, plays and breathes games." said Kristin Lindsay at Child's Play. "Our holiday drive is not only an opportunity to share that joy with those that need it, but it's also a great way to show the strength of our culture."

They've made it really easy to give. Child's Play has partnered with Amazon.com to create wishlists of toys and game-related goodies for participating hospitals. All you need to do is visit the official Web site, click a location, pick a gift, and buy it. The gifts are then delivered directly to the hospitals.

They also hold a pretty swanky annual event called the Child's Play Fundraiser Dinner Auction, which will be held on December 11th this year. The semi-formal event features dinner and auctions. Last year, they raised over $200,000 in one night! 

You can't find a charity that's easier to get behind. If you didn't love Tycho and Gabe enough already, seeing what they're doing for children should put you over the top. Destructoid's robots need to do their part to keep the love going strong, so head on over to give to this great charity.

I think its fun to find games that I personally love and make sure they get sent as gifts. I wonder if anyone asked for Persona 3 this year. Could there be kids that cool?

Seattle, WA - November 2, 2007 - Child's Play (www.childsplaycharity.org) is proud to announce the opening of its charity drive. The organization, which started as a fundraiser for the Seattle Children's Hospital, has since raised over two million dollars in toys, games and cash through its online toy drive and annual charity auction to over 45 hospitals worldwide.

"For the first ten months of the year, our community makes, plays and breathes games." said Kristin Lindsay at Child's Play. "Our holiday drive is not only an opportunity to share that joy with those that need it, but it's also a great way to show the strength of our culture."

Now in its fifth year, Child's Play has expanded its network of beneficiary hospitals to over 25 states and five countries across the globe with additional partner hospitals being added each month. Child's Play works in conjunction with Amazon.com to create wish lists for participating hospitals. Individual donors can choose to give new items ranging from toddler toys to music CDs, videogames, game consoles and accessories. Gifts are delivered directly to hospitals in need and are tax deductible as denoted by law.

The annual Child's Play Fundraiser Dinner Auction will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Seattle, Washington. The semi-formal evening features a silent auction, dinner and live auction. In 2006 the dinner raised over $200,000 in one night, with all fundraising proceeds going directly to the Child's Play network of hospitals.

Child's Play is seeking corporate donations for giveaway at Children's Hospitals as well as auction items for the fundraising dinner. For information on how to become a corporate or individual donor or how hospitals can become involved please contact Kristin Lindsay at klindsay@penny-arcade.com or 206.274.0024.

About Child's Play

Child's Play is a non-profit organization begun in 2003 by Gabe and Tycho, 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 millions dollars in toys, games and cash for children's hospitals worldwide through an ongoing online toy drive and annual charity auction. Now in its fifth year, Child's Play is continuing to develop a worldwide network of beneficiary hospitals in order to brighten hospital stays for children internationally. For more information go to www.childsplaycharity.org.