Charity Initiative for Kids in Need

Winter months have traditionally been a period of giving. Apart from gifting those closest to us, this is also the time to try and bring some happiness into lives of those less fortunate who may not have someone to brighten up their holidays.

This is exactly the idea behind the initiative of the poker player Billy Vogel on 2 + 2 forums. This is the 5th consecutive years that Vogel puts in an effort to bring together poker players (although everybody else is welcome, of course) and gather donations for the ‘Toys for Kids’ program and Global Medical Relief Fund.

He’s been able to work out a 35% discount on the bulk purchase of toys that will be distributed to children on December 13th at the Convention Center (Atlantic City). Every kid will be able to select a toy or two for themselves and there will be food and games for everybody present. More than 1,000 children will be invited. On the next day, they will visit local hospitals and distribute toys to children staying there as well.

Although people can donate to these charities directly, with the discount and private shopping time Mr. Vogel was able to arrange, every donated dollar will go just a little bit further in bringing smiles to faces of those who need it the most. In addition to this, everything that happens to be lost in transaction fees and similar, will be made up by Vogel and others helping with this effort, which will ensure that 100% of your donated amount reaches those who are intended to benefit from it.

One always has to be careful with endorsement of charity initiatives, but considering how long this has been going on and the fact that the above mentioned thread was in fact allowed by 2 + 2 moderators (which they do not do lightly), this one seems like a worthy cause.

You can find more information about how to donate the money in the thread, but there are several options available (Skrill, PayPal, PokerStars or even a Bitcoin), so if you are looking to share some joy in this holiday season, check it out. Any amount is, of course, welcome and it will help in achieving rather simple, but very valiant goal - putting smiles on children faces and letting them know that there are people out there thinking and caring about them.