Press Start

"For the film, see Press Start (film)."

The Press Start Children's Foundation is a registered Canadian charity started by three university students with the goal of providing video games and toys to children in need. They believe that video games are a safe and relaxing way to relieve stress, improve skills and promote healing. The Foundation targets children's hospitals, youth centres, women's shelters and rehabilitation facilities with their various programs.

The name derives from the common message on retro video games prompting the player to "press start" to initiate game play.

Mission

The Mission of the Press Start children's Foundation is:

"To give the gift of gaming to children in need while shedding a positive light on video games and the people who play them so that video games might be viewed as a fun, safe and relaxing way to relieve stress."

Programs

Gift of Gaming Campaign
The gift of gaming campaign is the idea on which Press Start was founded. It involves the purchase of video games and consoles, toys, TVs, and craft supplies which are then donated to institutions that help children. The main concern is a belief that many of these locales often overlook the entertainment area in their budget to place the most emphasis on providing their major service. Press Start aims to fill that gap via their annual donations.
Hospital Playrooms
One of the new programs Press Start has unveiled is directed toward constructing "electronic playgrounds" inside hospitals. Each playground will be designed by the Press Start team and equipped with televisions, consoles, and a library of games for children and youth. This program was undertaken to help children who must spend a great deal of time in the hospital feel safer and more at home.
Research Grants
Another new program announced by the Press Start Board of Directors is the proposed funding of video game related medical studies. Such studies produce information relating to the hypothesized "healing power of video games," and can provide useful counsel as to how video games can be utilized as such, as well as cast them in a positive light.
Advocacy
In addition to providing games and toys for children, Press Start intends to contest the negative image of video games as portrayed in the media. Their website links to many studies and news stories which instead focus on the positive aspects of video gaming, including evidence that video games can aid with weight loss, increase both physical and mental performance, as well as assist with school-related research.

History

In December 2004, long before the foundation was formed, the donation of a single Nintendo Gamecube to the McMaster Children's Hospital took place as a gesture of the giving nature of the holidays.

In 2005, a dinner conversation about the 2004 donation turned into a serious talk about creating a company to perform these donations. By October 2005, with no startup budget of any kind, the Press Start Children's Foundation began incorporating as a non-profit organization and soliciting donations from family and friends. On December 20, the final numbers were calculated and the first donation of $2800 was given to the McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario.

Press Start incorporated on January 9, 2006 and became a registered Canadian charity on February 28, 2006. Throughout the year they held several successful gaming tournaments to raise funds which led to a donation of $3600 in portable systems, games, and toys which once again went to the McMaster Children's Hospital.

In 2007, the foundation hopes to raise $10,000 and expand their giving to the Bethesda House Women's Shelter in Hamilton, and Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre in Toronto.

On August 9, 2008 Press Start Charitable Foundation's charitable registration was revoked.

Board of Directors

Andrew Matthews - Director of Fundraising

Derek McCrone - Director of Marketing and Information Technology
Daniel Ryan - Director of Finance and Administration

External links

* [http://www.pressstart.ca/ Official site]
* [http://www.giftofgaming.org Gift of Gaming Campaign site]
* [http://www.monkeybiz.ca/inside/features.php?ID=1495 Monkeybiz article on Press Start]
* [http://www.guelphhumber.ca/About/Events%20and%20News/Current%20News/2006.12.07%20Free%20games%20for%20sick%20children University of Guelph Humber article on Press Start]
* [http://www.gamedaily.com/canvases/gd/_a/video-game-charities-page-3/20061208211609990001 GameDaily article on Press Start]