Gamer-centric charity drives for sick kids grow up so fast. Web comic Penny Arcade has officially kicked off the fourth annual Child's Play toy and game drive to benefit children spending the holidays in hospitals.

　　What started as a way to court positive portrayals of gamers in the media by organizing online donations to benefit a single hospital has developed into a worldwide effort to benefit sick children at dozens of hospitals around the globe. According to the organizers, Child's Play has raised nearly 1.2 million dollars' worth of games and toys for sick children.

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

　　Gamers can donate to Child's Play by purchasing items from specific hospitals' wish lists on Amazon.com or dStore, or give money directly through PayPal. They can also auction off their own goods to benefit Child's Play through eBay's Giving Works Web site. Penny Arcade is also holding a charity auction dinner for the game and toy drive in Bellevue, Washington, on December 13.

　　For more information on Child's Play, visit the official Web site.