When someone mentions Hello Kitty Online, the first reaction is probably laughter, but Sanrio Digital has come up with an innovative way to contribute to world causes. While the game may appear to be pure cyber fluff and sugar, HKO features many in game charity events that benefit real world causes. Today through September 30th, players will have the opportunity to help clean up the Gulf of Mexico after this summer’s oil spill and send aid to kids in impoverished nations affected by it. All that’s required is to play Chocolate Harbor Rescue in game. Doing so lets players generate “donation points” which will be turned into cash donations to Oceana, an organization for ocean preservation, and to UNICEF, the charitable organization sponsored by the United Nations.
This isn’t the first time HKO has worked to make a difference. The first charity event was actually held while the game was still in beta. Food for Friends encouraged players to craft and donate thousands of in- game food items. Each virtual food item translated into a fixed amount donated to UNICEF and the Asian Youth Orchestra resulting in an impressive $12,000 donation.
The next event, Helping Hearts, asked players to craft in-game clothing items to benefit an orphanage. The players’ contributions resulted in limited edition Hello Kitty Football Cup shirts and bags donated to the Po Leung Kuk residential childcare unit.
In 2009, Hello Kitty Online players crafted thousands of in- game toys. For each of these toys, HKO donated real world toys to the well known Toys For Tots organization.
Earlier this year, the game worked to bring attention to and provide aid for the thousands of people left homeless following the Haiti earthquake disaster. Players were quick to contribute and crafted an amazing 1,248,257 in- game items. Based on that effort, HKO and its publishers donated over $18,000 to Doctors Without Borders to provide aid to the earthquake victims.
What would happen if other, more widely played MMOs followed this example? Imagine the millions that could be raised by people playing World of Warcraft, Aion, or Warhammer. Maybe it’s time for larger game companies to start taking on a more active role in world events instead of just focusing on the millions they’re taking in from players each month.
To learn more about Hello Kitty Online and their charitable causes visit the site by clicking here.
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