The fourth Child's Play toy and videogame drive has begun. The charity, which was started by the Penny Arcade creators, brings gifts to children at 28 hospitals around the globe.

"In addition to the online drive and a charity auction dinner, organizers are raising money through the sale of Child’s Play t-shirts and holiday cards. One hundred percent of all proceeds go towards gifts for the use of children in the 28 participating hospitals around the globe. Generously supported by publishers, developers and individual gamers themselves, Child’s Play has raised nearly 1.2 million dollars in toys, books, movies, games, game hardware and game systems intended to brighten hospital stays for sick children.

“There are so many gamers out there with big hearts,” said Penny Arcade’s Robert Khoo. “The grassroots Child Play initiative that started out in Seattle has grown now to include hospitals across the U.S. as well as international locations from Canada to Egypt. It gives me yet another reason to be proud to say ‘I’m a gamer.’”

The way the online toy and game drive works is that participating hospitals post wish lists on Amazon or Dstore. Through www.childsplaycharity.org those wishing to participate can select a specific hospital and browse their wish list to see what fun toys and games are desired for patients. Items include everything from Play-Doh and Scrabble to the Cars Xbox 360 game and full Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony gaming systems. Gift purchasers select delivery direct to the hospital in need. Alternatively, cash donations can be made through PayPal.

In addition to fulfilling hospital wish lists, the gamers’ charity offers t-shirts (U.S. $17.99) and will add holiday cards for sale beginning November 15th through www.thinkgeek.com/pennyarcade. Child’s Play also hosts a charity auction dinner in Bellevue, Washington in which the game community donates a host of game-related auction items for attendees to bid on. That event is scheduled to take place this year on Wednesday, December 13th. Tickets are now on sale at www.childsplaycharity.org."