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Video Game Industry Raises Over $2.6 Million for Children’s Charities
Record Breaking Sales of Multi-Disc Game Pack Funds Multitude of Youth Programs
July 28, 2008 – WASHINGTON, DC – Over $2.6 million was raised by selling more than 90,000 copies of a charity game pack, the ESA Foundation announced today. The game pack’s record breaking proceeds allow the ESA Foundation, the computer and video game industry’s philanthropic arm, to improve the lives of American children through grants to a wide variety of organizations.
“The entertainment software industry places a priority on giving back to our communities, with a special focus on helping our young people. I’m proud that together with our partners, the ESA Foundation raised a record amount for a variety of worthy causes,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers. “We also thank Microsoft Corporation, the main publisher, and the retailers who sold this tremendously successful game pack.”
The limited-edition game pack developed for Microsoft’s Xbox® platform included software donated by Disney Interactive, THQ, Ubisoft, Sony Pictures, and Pixar. Seventeen retailers, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Target and GameStop sold the game pack. GreatWestern Industries, Packaging 2.0 LLC, Sonopress, Technicolor, Iridio, and TenGun Design also took part in the effort by donating services free of charge and/or waiving associated monetary fees and royalties.
This year, the ESA Foundation is providing the following organizations with grants made possible by charity game pack proceeds:
- Web Wise Kids
- Work, Achievement, Values & Education Inc. (WAVE)
- Hopelabs
- Federation of American Scientists (FAS)
- Computers for Youth
The funds provided help address issues that currently confront our nation’s young people. Web Wise Kids uses its ESA Foundation grants to develop video games that teach children about keeping safe in the online world. WAVE programs motivate youth to complete school, lead productive lives and make valuable contributions to their communities. Hopelabs developed a game “Re-mission” to help teens living with cancer. FAS developed a game called “Immune Attack” to teach high school students about immunology and infection. Computers for Youth provide donated and refurbished computers to kids in low income communities.
"The ESA Foundation's continued support has helped over two million kids learn how to stay safe on-line,” said Judi Westberg Warren, president, Web Wise Kids. “We are thrilled that it will be able to continue supporting important projects to help kids."
The ESA Foundation was created by the ESA to support and provide opportunities that can make a difference in the lives of America’s youth. The Foundation is fully supported by proceeds from the charity game pack’s sales and "A Nite to Unite – for Kids," its annual fund-raiser, which has raised more than $7.8 million in the last six years. For more information about the ESA Foundation, please visit www.theESA.com/foundation.
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