GameStop announced it will spearhead a fundraising and awareness campaign to benefit Autism Speaks duringAustim Awareness Month (April 1 to April 30).Customers at the company's GameStop, Spring Mobile AT&T and Cricket Wireless, Simply Mac and ThinkGeek retail stores will have the opportunity to donate to Autism Speaks at point-of-purchase. The campaign will be supported by specialized in-store and online promotional materials, and online outreach through GameStop's mobile gaming division, Kongregate,and gaming magazine, Game Informer.
"We are proud to partner with Autism Speaks this April," said Matt Hodges, vice president of public and investor relations. "This partnership is extra special to the GameStop family. Many of our associates and customers have shared how the video game and technology products we sell have helped them have a meaningful relationship with their child who has autism. We look forward to a successful campaign and helping those families impacted by autism."
The company says this initiative is supported by GameStop's store associates, who are committed to giving back to the communities in which they work, live and play. As a 'thank you' to those customers who donate $1 or more, GameStop is offering triple PowerUp Rewards points on the donation amount.
"We are thrilled to see the world of gaming and technology embrace autism," said Autism Speaks Vice President of Corporate Development Peter Morton. "We are grateful for this partnership since GameStop's campaign will raise awareness of autism across the country."
The donations raised through the GameStop campaign will help fund the Autism Speaks Family Services iPad Grant program, which provides iPads to financially disadvantaged children and adults with autism. iPads have become valuable tools for many people on the autism spectrum, allowing them to access apps that help advance communication and learning skills. Autism Speaks has donated more than 4,000 iPads to recipients across the country since in 2012.
In addition, the money raised will also fund the research and science program at Autism Speaks, which enables the development of technological advances that improve the health and quality of life for individuals with autism and their families.