GRAPEVINE, Texas - (Business Wire) As a wish recipient herself, 12-year-old Emily Adkins knows how important it is to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Adkins is helping GameStop (NYSE: GME), the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer, support the world’s largest wish-granting organization by designing the artwork for one of its 2009 holiday gift cards. The retailer will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $100,000, for every gift card purchased between now and Dec. 26. As GameStop began planning for this year’s holiday card, Chris Olivera, vice president of corporate communications and public affairs, knew he wanted to continue the tradition started last year of having a child create the card’s artwork.
“We asked our friends at the Make-A-Wish Foundation to send us artwork from their wish kids that represented the holidays in a fun, whimsical way,” Olivera said. “When we received all the artwork samples, it was clear that Emily’s art was destined to grace our card this year.”
A 7th grader from Huntington Beach, CA, Emily’s artwork depicts a colorful holiday scene complete with a beautiful redbird, a piece of holly with berries and a decorated tree. Her artwork gives GameStop customers another option when choosing gift cards as it compliments the existing lineup of holiday cards available for 2009.
“During the holidays, we have a lot of parents and grandparents who want to buy games as gifts, but they aren’t quite sure which title would be the right one,” said Dan DeMatteo, chief executive officer for GameStop. “By selecting a gift card, gift givers can be assured the gamers on their lists will be thrilled, and they have the added bonus of helping a worthy charity like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
GameStop gift cards never expire, and there are no fees associated with them. The retailer offers its cards with “no strings attached” so gift givers can be assured their card recipients receive the full face value of their gifts. Customers can purchase any gift card design to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
GameStop is proud to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a national sponsor by helping gaming and shopping spree wishes come true for children across the country. The retailer has been working with the Foundation since 2007.
About GameStop Corp.
Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 6,391 retail stores in 17 countries worldwide. The company also operates an e-commerce site, GameStop.com, and publishes Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company's corporate website: http://www.gamestopcorp.com.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 185,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. Visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
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Beth Sharum
Manager, Corporate Communications
GameStop Corp.
(817) 722-7281
bethsharum@gamestop.com
or
Jill Lain
Corporate Communications
GameStop Corp.
(817) 658-4444
jilllain@gamestop.com
