THE BUZZ: The recently-held Child’s Play Gala and Auction ended up raising $351,000, bringing the total amount contributed to the organization to $1.95 million for this year.

Started in 2003, Child’s Play is an organization that helps to promote the good side of video games (and video game players) by raising funds to donate toys, games, books, and other forms of entertainment to children’s hospitals around the world.

“The gala and auction always brings in a lot of donations, but it is just one part of Child’s Play,” said Jamie Dillion of Child’s Play Charity. “The real heroes are all the gamers who organize local events and send in individual donations that account for the vast majority of what we raise every year. We couldn’t do this without all of their support”

To learn more about Child’s Play, or to see how you can help, head over to childsplaycharity.org.

EGM’s TAKE: Being stuck in a hospital with some form of serious health issue is a situation none of us want to find ourselves in—it can be even more difficult, terrifying, or upsetting when you’re a child. While video games and toys can’t make children healthy physically, they can have a massively positive effect on a child mentally and emotionally.

I’ve been a big fan of the organization since its introduction, and am glad to see it not only continue in its effort, but get stronger every year.

Source: Child's Play