PHILADELPHIA, Dec 14, 2011 – During this time of year, most people look for ways to give back to those who are in need. How about a way to help children with disabilities across the world with simple acts of kindness?

A Better World, an online game focused around being positive and encouraging members of its community to support others in both the game and in the real world, has challenged its community to come together and do just that.

The “Reach for the Stars Community Goal” is to generate one milliongood deeds, acts of kindness or expressions of gratitude for positive things in their lives by Jan. 31, 2012. When the community reaches the mark by simply performing “do-good” activities and then reporting them within the game, $10,000 will be donated to CURE.org.  

The gift will fund medical operations for 10 children, allowing them to walk again or even for the first time. CURE.org identifies and helps children in third world countries who might otherwise never receive the medical attention they require. Visithttp://cure.org/abetterworldto see the 10 boys and girls the A Better World community will help to be able to walk when the goal is met.

“Our new ‘Reach for the Stars’ activities have been designed to promote a sense of goodwill and camaraderie among players. At least once a quarter, we will offer an opportunity for community members to work together to achieve something positive in the real world through activities within the game,” MarySue Hansell, COO of ToonUps, creator of A Better World, explains. “Our members have told us they love the idea of doing good for others, of being a part of an online community that is uplifting and values driven.”

CURE.org was chosen as the first beneficiary of the A Better World’s “Reach for the Stars” feature.

“We are thrilled to bring the positive emotional involvement that players love about A Better World to the real world to benefit children who have little hope of receiving the medical care they need,” Joel Worrall, Vice President, CURE.org, said. 

To join the game, players simply sign up for A Better World on Facebook, pick a character and start exploring.  All the areas in the game, including the Gratitude Grotto, the Sanctuary of Hope and the Department of Do Good provide opportunities to post “do-good” activities that contribute to the community goal. Examples could be donating groceries to a shelter, stopping by to talk to a lonely senior citizen, a household discussion about values with children or simply posting expressions of gratitude. All earn points for the player in game as well as counting toward the current community goal and donation to CURE.org.

An angel, holding a tracking meter, lets players see the progress of the community in reaching the goal with every “do-good” activity performed in game.  

CURE.org is a non-profit organization that operates hospitals and programs in 20 countries since 1998 for more than 80 million physically disabled children. Patients receive surgical treatment regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity or ability to pay.

A Better World was created by ToonUps, a digital entertainment company whose mission is to create online games and apps to brighten the world. Since the turn of the century, ToonUps has created a rich array of products in the business, prosumer and consumer marketplaces, all designed with the purpose of uplifting people through optimism, altruism and fun. From social gaming to business training, their innovative content brings these core themes to new markets. ToonUps is headquartered in Wayne, Penn. For more information, visit www.toonups.com.

Play A Better World at http://www.facebook.com/ABetterWorld

Screens at http://www.flickr.com/photos/47559592 @N05/sets/72157626620138503/

Trailer at http://www.youtube.com/user/ToonUpYourWorld 

SOURCE: ToonUps

Contacts

ToonUps
610-902-0070      
press@toonups.com