And the total is...

2013 was a year of celebration, retrospect, and new horizons for Child’s Play. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary for the foundation, it was a great opportunity for us to reflect on the amazing growth we’ve experienced. In 2003, gamers united to raise $250,000 for Seattle Children’s Hospital to make the holidays a little bit brighter for the kids in need. In 2013 we now work with over 90 hospitals around the world, with hundreds of thousands of children benefiting from your gifts and contributions, as the generosity of gamers has only grown.

Our final fundraising total for 2013 is an astonishing $7.6 million.

$7.6 million. It’s absolutely mind boggling. Ten years ago, we wouldn’t have believed it possible. That’s more than the cumulative total for the first six years of Child’s Play, raised in the last 12 months. Not only have you been able to support our growing network of hospitals, but we’re also been able to expand our initiatives and benefit children in domestic violence shelters. In 2014 that program will move past the pilot program to encompass facilities across the country and provide them with vital resources to support the kids they see every day.

Child life specialists reach out to us every year, overwhelmed and amazed at the generosity of gamers. The iPads they use help distract and comfort kids as they prep for surgery. An Xbox will find its way to the community playroom for siblings to play together again. The movies, craft supplies, CDs, toys, and books sent from Amazon wishlists let kids just be kids for a moment: not sick kids, not hurt kids, not scared or lonely kids. Just kids playing like kids. And it's all thanks to you.

The bulk of our donations don't come in the form of huge grants: the millions are made up of the $10, $20, $50 donations. They come from game marathons, golf tournaments, eBay auctions, and bake sales. They come from the incredible community that makes the tag line "Gamers give back" an understatement. The community coming together for 10 years has now resulted in $25,196,670. We are humbled, proud, and overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for making 2013 our best year yet.