Coins for Change

Virtual worlds There.com and Club Penguin organized online drives to encourage users to think charitably, reports Virtual World News. The sites target young adults and children, respectively.

There.com set its sights on Child's Play, which provides toys, books and video games to children in hospitals. Until the 22nd of this month, users can bid on and buy virtual Christmas trees. All proceeds go to Child's Play; real trees will be decorated at Child's Play Park on behalf of their virtual owners.

Meanwhile, Disney's Club Penguin launched its second annual Coins for Change campaign. New Horizons, an organization spearheaded by the site's founders, shall divide a $1 million donation between three charities. Users donate virtual coins to their charity of choice, thereby "voting" on the proportion of the $1 million donation each charity receives.

"Our hope is that Coins for Change helps children in the Club Penguin community understand there is more to life than just earning coins, and encourages them to make a difference in the lives of kids throughout the world," pontificated Lane Merrifield, representing Club Penguin. "Last year more than 2.5 million players donated in excess of two billion virtual coins."

2007's virtual drive resulted in donations as follows to the following charities: $394,000 to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, $330 to the World Wildlife Fund and $276,000 to Free The Children.

Like There.com's Child's Play effort, Club Penguin's Coins for Change will take virtual votes until December 22.