Game charity readies holiday push

This week, the Get-Well Gamers Foundation announced its annual holiday initiative. The charity supplies hospitals with gaming consoles, games, and handhelds for sick kids, and its network has now grown to 41 hospitals in 26 states. It supplies all systems, from the 16-bit generation to next-gen consoles like the Xbox 360, to all kinds of hospitals, from free clinics to private facilities.

Based in California, the Get-Well Gamers Foundation was founded in 2001 and was recognized as an official charity in 2005. They believe that video games dull perception of pain, relieve anxiety, and entertain the bored and suffering.

The idea came while the founder of the charity, Ryan Sharpe, was at school and was discussing with his classmates what a great distraction games were to play when they were sick. As a child, the now 24-year old Sharpe suffered from various different illnesses that resulted in extended hospital stays. He found that playing games during his stays helped him pass the time and forget his own discomfort.

Sharpe set the charity up when he was only 19 and has been running it in his spare time for the last five years. Last year, it was granted official charity status.

Get-Well Gamers has received contributions from companies including Microsoft, Atlus, Activision, and Sony. It accepts donations in the form of any unwanted working game system, accessories, age-appropriate games, and cold, hard cash. Those interested can donate or find a hospital that participates at the Get-Well Gamers official Web site.