Thanks in part to contributions from across the game development community, the Child's Play charity raised $2,294,317 in 2010, a new annual record for the organization that helps bring video games, toys and books to hospitalized children.
The charity -- organized by the co-creators of both the popular Penny Arcade webcomic and the annual PAX gaming conventions -- has now attracted a total on nearly $9 million in lifetime donations over eight years.
"I could not be happier with the record shattering results of our incredible Charity," said the group's Mike Krahulik. "The world may be a better place than I previously thought," added co-founder Jerry Holkins.
Child's Play takes donations on an individual basis, but groups have increasingly begun organizing their own drives with proceeds intended for Child's Play.
Notable major donors this year include the Humble Indie Bundle, which allowed users to name their own price for popular games and choose to donate any portion of the proceeds to the charity. The bundle organizers donated $300,000 to the Child's Play this year.
Other stand-out fundraisers were LoadingReadyRun’s "Desert Bus for Hope" marathon, which raised $207,000 and Microsoft's
Gears of War-focused "The Fate of Carmine" campaign, which brought in $150,000.
Foundation coordinator Kristin Lindsay says the charity is going to continue its expansion effort. It focuses on holiday gift-giving for ill children, but remains open all year; participating hospitals open Amazon wish lists with requested items for their wards, and users can also donate cash through PayPal year-round.
Child's Play presently serves hospitals in the U.K, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Egypt.
