I have a favor to ask of you, my friends, family, and random ‘net folk: buy gifts for me. Most of you didn’t buy me anything for the holidays last year, and that’s fine. There’s nothing I really wanted, anyway. I recognize that it’s a bit out of character for me to insist that you purchase presents for me this holiday season, but that’s what I’m doing. Except, of course, the gifts aren’t for me.
Every year, Penny Arcade runs a charity called Child’s Play. A number of children’s hospitals around the world participate in the charity. For each hospital, an Amazon Wish List is set up with various toys, books, music, and video games. You go to the wish list for the hospital of your choice, buy some of the presents, and get them shipped directly to the hospital. Your gift goes to kids who are coming out of or going into surgery, fighting diseases, or living in a hospital due to some chronic illness. They also run a charity dinner and take straight up corporate sponsorship. In past years they have received more than a quarter of a million dollars in gifts and donations. You can read more about it on the site.
On the whole, I am wary of charities. I imagine them skimming off 20% for administrative fees. I picture them spending my donation on overpriced services. I worry that my hard-earned cash ends up going either to people who just too lazy or incompetent to get a job, or to people whose greatest need is not money. Not to mention that most charities try to motivate donation through guilt. My suspicion of and dislike for these organizations outweighs my desire to do good works.
Child’s Play is a different beast. First of all, it’s not some monolithic charity organization; it’s Gabe and Tycho. I’ve read their news and webcomic for years. I know their names and their children’s names. I know their taste in video games, for crapsake. In their own words, “There are no ‘administrative fees’ or other hidden costs associated with giving to Child’s Play - every cent is passed on.” Everything you purchase or donate goes to a sick child. It’s a good cause run by good people.
I just bought a couple of books for the Children’s Hospital Oakland, where I am making plans to volunteer as well. One book was about asthma, because I’m a survivor (heh), and the other was called The Mighty Asparagus, which is just a fucking awesome name for a children’s book. I’m only telling you this because I think it may help motivate you to do the same.
So, this holiday season, fuel my selfish desire to feel good about myself. Make up for not buying me anything for Christmas or Hanukkah last year. Go to the Child’s Play site, right now, and buy something for a sick kid. You cheapskates owe me.
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December 12th, 2005 at 7:49 pm
Im proud of you, but I dont have to say that, because I only choose to be with people who know the right thing to do.
(just so you know I did it too, and Im gonna post something about it as well– the more the better, I think).
Also, this sorta borders an idea I’ve been having for a long time… that I got from my Women’s Studies teacher last semester. She told me that every year her and her best friend’s family take the money that theyd usually spend on each other for xmas and they donate it to a charity. And I think thats what I want to do, or what I’d like to do.
Loooove you!