Video Game Marathon benefits Child's Play Charity, Children's Hospitals Worldwide

PRLog (Press Release) - Jul. 9, 2009 - LAFAYETTE, INDIANA - June 27, 2009 - Beginning Friday, July 10, gamers from Lafayette, Indiana will host the second annual Mario Marathon benefiting Child's Play Charity, which provides toys, games and books to patients of children's hospitals worldwide.

The multi day internet event, broadcast live online, attracts an audience from around the world to watch as a team of three plays through twenty five years of Super Mario Brothers video games. Those wishing to support the event are encouraged to donate directly to Child's Play through the mariomarathon.com web site.

The initial event, held in 2008, lasted fifty seven hours, attracted over 100,000 viewers, and raised nearly $12,000 for Child's Play. This year's event is projected to last longer, with the length extended by each donation. "It's a kind of endurance stunt to promote Child's Play," says Brian Brinegar, Event Coordinator, "a video game reality show." Viewers of the event will have the opportunity to interact with the team and win various Mario themed prizes.

The Child's Play Charity (www.childsplaycharity.org) is a game industry charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with toys and games in a network of over sixty hospitals worldwide. Since its inception in 2003, the charity has distributed over 3.5 million dollars worth of toys, games, books, and cash. "We rely heavily on community run initiatives such as Mario Marathon." says Kristin Lindsay, with Child's Play, "These fund raising events represent our greatest strength: the generosity and determinations of gamers."

Locally, Child's Play partners with Indianapolis based Riley Hospital for Children. Over the past year Child's Play has provided Riley with over five-hundred items valued at over ten-thousand dollars. "We would not be able to offer the opportunity to play video games to so many patients without the generous donation of Child's Play", says Rena Brown, Toy Room Co-Chair with Riley, "Video games are a great activity because the children can "escape" to another world."

Watch the event live on the web at www.mariomarathon.com beginning July 10th at 9:00 AM EDT. Donations for the event are being accepted through July 15th.

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Mario Marathon was started in 2008 with the goal of raising money for Child's Play charity. Located in Lafayette, Indiana, Mario Marathon was founded by three gaming enthusiasts who grew up together in Indiana.