At this time of year, we talk a lot about E3. In the past, we’ve also talked a lot about Extra Life; the annual gamer’s campaign to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals. Well, for the first time ever, we’re about to see the two combined in a fantastic way.

It was announced yesterday, that GameStop Gives, the social responsibility arm of the GameStop Corporation, is teaming up with Extra Life to host the first-ever game trade-in charity event at this year’s E3 conference.

Starting on June 12, and running through June 14, all attendees to E3 are invited to donate their pre-owned games, so that all of the children who are undergoing medical treatment at the 170 CMN Hospitals around the United States and Canada. In addition, all donors at E3 will get a “Buy 2, Get 1 Free plus 50% bonus trade-in coupon from GameStop when they donate their pre-owned games at the event.

What’s more, the first 150 pass-holders to E3 who donate games at the Extra Life and GameStop truck (which will be outside of the Los Angeles Convention Center) will receive a VIP-level “golden ticket” for access into and around the convention.

GameStop is also set to donate 100 percent of all of the trade value of every donated tame to CMN Hospitals, which in turn will go to help all of the sick and injured kids who are getting treatment at those locations.

This charity event at E3 will be the kickoff point for a new partnership between CMN Hospitals and GameStop. As part of the partnership, GameStop will be using its local stores to assist in raising donations to fund all of the critical medical treatments, pediatric medical equipment, healthcare services, and charitable care that the CMN Hospitals provide to underprivileged kids and their families. Jason Allen, head of marketing for GameStop, chimed in on the partnership by saying, “GameStop has a long-standing commitment to use the Power of Gaming for Good to benefit the families in our local communities. Together with CMN Hospitals, it is our hope to give children of all ages the miracle of living a better life”.

The hours for the GameStop pop-up truck at E3 will be as follows:

• Tuesday, June 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 13 from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Thursday, June 14 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

If you can’t attend E3 (as many of us cannot), not to worry. For the entire month of June, GameStop is offering those of us who cannot make it to the conference two additional ways to contribute to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at local stores:

• GameStop customers will be given an option to Trade for Charity by donating up to 100 percent of the trade-in value of their games (or gaming equipment) when their bring their unused gaming hardware, software, accessories, or consumer electronics to their local GameStop store.
• Those of us who are PowerUp Rewards members can also donate PowerUp Rewards points to support national charities – such as the CMN Hospitals – in the PowerUp Rewards Center.

John Lauck, the president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, gave a statement about this initiative. “We are thrilled to be partnering with GameStop to help further our mission to save and improve the lives of local kids. The funds raised by GameStop’s initiatives will impact over 10 million children treated each year at local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the country and we are very grateful for their support,” he said.

So, gamers! We all have some games lying around that we don’t play anymore. I know it, you know it. Why not do some real good with those, and donate them during the month of June to help kids who need medical care?

As a gamer who has been involved in Extra Life for the past three years, I am proud to help out these kids, and am thrilled to see that a company like GameStop is tossing their proverbial hat in the ring to raise awareness and money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. I am definitely jumping on this one…are you?

 

ABOUT EXTRA LIFE
Extra Life is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising program within the gaming community. Participants fundraise year-round and pledge to game for 24 hours with one goal: to save and improve the lives of sick & injured kids. Funds raised stay local to help pediatric patients at one of 170 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the United States & Canada. Since 2008, Extra Life has raised more than $40 million for member hospitals. The movement, formed by gamers bonded by passion, is committed to saving and improving the lives of local kids. Play games, heal kids and join the community today at www.extra-life.org. 

ABOUT CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals that provide 32 million treatments each year to kids across the U.S. and Canada. Donations stay local to fund critical treatments and healthcare services, pediatric medical equipment and charitable care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have raised more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through the charity’s Miracle Balloon icon. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. Find out why children’s hospitals need community support, and learn about your member hospital, at CMNHospitals.org and facebook.com/CMNHospitals.