Despite the countless hours we spend yelling at each other during multiplayer games, gamers really are a charitable bunch. The gaming community hosts several pledge drives, donations, and marathons every year for the sake of raising money towards a specified cause. Starting on May 1, GameStop will begin a month-long donation program, where all proceeds will go directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation. According to a new investor relations release, video game retailer GameStop will have a month-long partnership with Make-A-Wish for the duration of May. While the used-game store has partnered with charitable organizations in the past, this marks the first time that GameStop customers will be able to donate directly towards a cause from within the store. Customers have the option of donating any amount, as long as it agrees with the minimum of $1. With the help of charitable consumers, GameStop hopes to “raise at least $100,000 in charitable donations”. GameStop CFO and Make-A-Wish North Texas board member Rob Lloyd had this to say regarding the month-long donation drive:
“We are honored to work with such a worthwhile charity, like Make-A-Wish…kids are such an inspiration to me personally, and I’m excited to be able to offer our loyal customers an opportunity to show their support for this great organization by giving to those children in need. The money we raise during the month of May will all go towards wish experiences, which have the potential to medically and psychologically change the lives of wish children forever.”
GameStop’s Make-A-Wish drive extends past in-store donations, as customers can also donate towards the organization through GameStop.com and Spring Mobile, which was acquired in late 2013. Other gaming-based charity-drives and donations include “Desert Bus for Hope” hosted by LoadingReadyRun, Humble Bundle (proceeds can be split, or completely given towards charity), Child’s Play, and Extra Life.