I know that a lot of people on my flist are students and therefore don't have a lot of money. Buying presents for friends and family may be a hardship without tacking on the extra burden of buying for someone you don't even know. Still, I would like to encourage everyone to check out the link above, even if you can't participate.
For those who are unfamiliar with Child's Play, the creators of the incredibly funny webcomic
Penny Arcade came up with the charity several years ago now to counteract the bad rep that gamers like you and me get in the media. Contrary to all the stories about violent misanthropes, most gamers are warm, caring people.
Thus, Child's Play.
All donations go to children's hospitals across the country (as well as many in Canada, Australia and even one in Egypt) to make the kids' stay in the hospital more pleasant, or at least more comfortable. Many of these kids are in a lot of pain-maybe even terminal. Donations are largely in the form of technology, like Wiis and dvds and Nintendo DS systems, though donations of cash, crayons, books and Play-Doh are also welcomed. Over 5 million dollars worth of games, toys and cash have been donated since 2003. This year's total is already nearing a million dollars.
If you have five dollars to spare, crayons and Play-Doh are cheap and could make the difference in some sick kid's day. Even if all you can do is pass the word along, or take heart in knowing that the world isn't as shitty as you thought it was, that's enough.
And yeah, so I was crying when I bought stuff for them earlier. So what >>;
ETA; Post unlocked; feel free to link and pass the word along ♥