DriveThruRPG is in the midst of a major fundraising drive to aid in rescue, recovery, and relief efforts in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. So far, the online store has, amazingly, raised more than $158,000 in this initiative.
Called the "Gamers Helping Haiti Bundle," the product includes more than a hundred products totaling over $1,000 in retail value. For a simple donation of $20 -- all of which goes to Doctors Without Borders to support their post-earthquake Haiti relief efforts -- RPG fans can have this once-in-a-lifetime collection of gaming products. It can be viewed at http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=78023&affiliate_id=200677.
Skirmisher Publishing LLC has requested that three of its products to be used in this bundle in hope that it will thereby be more attractive to gamers and increase the amount of money raised for the Haiti relief efforts. Those publications are
Creatures of the Wastelands,
Creatures of the Wastelands: Habitats, and
Creatures of the Wastelands: The Thrasher Gang.
As of this writing, gamers purchasing the bundle had downloaded nearly 20,000 copies of the Skirmisher publications included in it. (To view Skirmisher's page on DriveThruRPG, go to http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=2132&affiliate_id=200677 )
DriveThruRPG already had opportunities to donate available within a day of the disaster. When publishers began asking how they could support the cause, the bundle was created to be an all-inclusive shared effort. Those who donated at the lesser levels will not be left out, however, and gamers who have already donated $5 or $10 will be receiving a special coupon code that lets them pay the difference from their initial donation to get the bundle.
"We are humbled by the generosity of both our customers and our publishers, all of whom have stepped up at this time of terrible tragedy to offer aid to a desperate people," said Sean Patrick Fannon, marketing and communications manager for DriveThruRPG. "We are also very proud to facilitate these collective efforts, providing the necessary tools and technology to bring it all together."
More than tools and technology, however, DriveThruRPG is really putting its money where its mouth is.
"We have always believed in the power of giving and sharing to make the world a better place," said Steve Wieck, president and co-owner of the site. "To that end, we are matching funds with everyone who's making a straight donation at the $5 and $10 level."
There is no set date for terminating the donation efforts but the special bundle will only be available until the end of January. For more information, contact Sean Patrick Fannon at sean@onebookshelf.com.