Fellow gamers, today we have some incredible news to share! Gamers Outreach is partnering with Child’s Play to construct GO Karts for kids in more than 120 healthcare facilities across the U.S. and Canada!
Holy cow, right!? Below is the formal press release with all the details!
Game Industry Charities Unite In Support Of Hospitalized Children
Child’s Play & Gamers Outreach partner to construct “GO Karts” for more than 120 healthcare facilities across U.S. & Canada.
Los Angeles – July 25th, 2017 – Gamers Outreach Foundation (Gamers Outreach) today announced a partnership with Child’s Play Charity (Child’s Play) to build GO Karts for more than 120 healthcare facilities across the U.S. and Canada.
GO Karts (Gamers Outreach Karts) are portable video game kiosks constructed specifically for the hospital environment. Each unit is equipped with a gaming console, games, monitor, controllers, and occasionally VR devices. GO Karts are secure mobile entertainment units which allow healthcare professionals to easily provide children with access to recreation at the bedside environment or during long-term treatment.
As many as 350,000 children could benefit from the newly constructed GO Karts on an annual basis, which are expected to begin racing forward in October of 2017.
With grant funding provided by Child’s Play, GO Karts will be produced for each hospital in the Child’s Play network across the U.S. and Canada. The partnership marks a substantial period of growth for both organizations, which respectively work to improve the lives of children through toys and games.
“This partnership is a massive win for hospitalized kids and healthcare professionals that support their well-being,” said Zach Wigal, Founder of Gamers Outreach. “Child’s Play has been a champion for pediatric care since 2003, and they’re one of the original pioneers of philanthropic engagement within the gaming community. We’re incredibly excited to be working with their team, and to see the joy of gaming be shared with so many children and families.”
“Child’s Play is thrilled to be able to work with Gamers Outreach to provide their GO Karts to our partner facilities,” said Kristin Lindsay, Child’s Play Foundation Coordinator. “These kiosks are an ideal solution for children’s hospitals to bring the familiar fun of video games to kids while keeping things simple to use and maintain for Child Life staff. Games are a key factor in normalizing the hospital experience for pediatric patients and Child’s Play is proud to assist that mission.”
To get involved or learn more about the partnership, visit www.GamersOutreach.org and www.ChildsPlayCharity.org.
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About Child’s Play
Founded in 2003, Child’s Play is a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in its network of over 220 facilities worldwide, including hospitals and domestic abuse shelters. Child’s Play works in two ways. With the help of hospital staff, the organization sets up gift wish lists full of video games, toys, books, and other fun stuff for kids. Child’s Play also receives cash donations throughout the year. With those cash donations, the organization purchases new consoles, peripherals, games, and more for hospitals and therapy facilities. Donations allow for children to enjoy age-appropriate entertainment, interact with their peers, friends, and family, and can provide vital distraction from an otherwise generally unpleasant experience.
About Gamers Outreach
Gamers Outreach is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that provides recreation to children in hospitals through the power of video games and the gaming community. Hospitalization can often be a lonely, isolating, and scary experience for young people. Gamers Outreach eases those burdens by providing equipment, technology, and software that help kids cope with long-term treatment.