Club Penguin giving kids a chance to donate to charities
By GARY GENTILE,AP
Posted: 2007-12-03 12:46:23
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kids who earn virtual cash in the popular online world "Club Penguin" can give some of it to charity as part of a program announced Monday by the Web site.
"It's showing the kids they can truly make a difference," said Lane Merrifield, a co-founder of Club Penguin, which was recently purchased by The Walt Disney Co.
In the Club Penguin world, kids win gold coins by playing games such as sled racing and, with a paid membership, buy virtual items like furniture and clothing.
Starting Dec. 14 and running through Dec. 24, kids can choose to donate their virtual money to support the environment, children's health or children's education.
The company will then split $1 million real dollars among three charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Free The Children.
The Canadian Web site donated a little more than $30 million to charity after Disney agreed to pay $350 million for the company earlier this year.
The deal could involve another $350 million if certain profit goals are reached.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
12/03/07 12:45 EST
By GARY GENTILE,AP
Posted: 2007-12-03 12:46:23
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kids who earn virtual cash in the popular online world "Club Penguin" can give some of it to charity as part of a program announced Monday by the Web site.
"It's showing the kids they can truly make a difference," said Lane Merrifield, a co-founder of Club Penguin, which was recently purchased by The Walt Disney Co.
In the Club Penguin world, kids win gold coins by playing games such as sled racing and, with a paid membership, buy virtual items like furniture and clothing.
Starting Dec. 14 and running through Dec. 24, kids can choose to donate their virtual money to support the environment, children's health or children's education.
The company will then split $1 million real dollars among three charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Free The Children.
The Canadian Web site donated a little more than $30 million to charity after Disney agreed to pay $350 million for the company earlier this year.
The deal could involve another $350 million if certain profit goals are reached.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
12/03/07 12:45 EST
