2008 Brings with it another Childs Play Charity Drive from the good folks at Penny Arcade. What is Childs play?

"Since 2003, over 100,000 gamers worldwide have banded together through Child’s Play, a community based charity grown and nurtured from the game culture and industry. Over two million dollars in donations of toys, games, books and cash for sick kids in children’s hospitals across North America and the world have been collected since our inception.

This year, we have continued expanding across the country and the globe. With over 45 partner hospitals and more arriving every month, you can be sure to find one from the map above that needs your help! You can choose to purchase requested items from their online retailer wish lists, or make a cash donation that helps out Child’s Play hospitals everywhere. Any items purchased through Amazon will be shipped directly to your hospital of choice, so please be sure to select their shipping address rather than your own."

Last year, they raised over $1.3 million dollars for childrens charities. And they make it really simple to help out. Go to their website at http://www.childsplaycharity.org/ , find a hospital near you by looking at the map, and then click on the controller icon to be taken directly to their Amazon wish list. You can purchase items on Amazon, and it will be shipped directly to the hospital that needs it. It couldn't be simpler! There are hospitals all across the us, from Legacy and Doernbecher in Portland, to BC, Alberta, and Winnepeg children's hospitals in Canada, to Sydney childrens hospital in Australia.

I know there will be a lot of groups asking for your money and time this holiday season, but as a gamer asking a fellow gamer, take the time and see if there isn't anything you could do to help those kids.