Since 2003, the folks over at Penny Arcade have organized Child's Play, a charity dedicated to providing new toys and games to children's hospitals around the world, proving that gamers aren't all violent selfish heartless sociopaths in the process. So while you're out this season buying your Rock Bands and your Call of Duties and U R MR GAYs, maybe hold off on buying those 4000 Microsoft points and buy some kids in need some toys and games.

To donate, visit the Child's Play website and choose a participating hospital, or you can donate directly to them via PayPal. For those Rockefellers out there who love to get dolled up and bid on a treasure trove of gaming memorabilia, check out the Child's Play dinner and charity auction on December 11th (more details coming up on the Child's Play site).

Will the generosity of gamers overshadow the usual holiday media coverage of the revelation that some video games are violent? It's hard to say. But you can do your part to make one sick kid's stay at a hospital a little better, which is worth more than a million copies of Manhunt 2.