Non-profit group buying games for soldiers

by Justin McElroy { Nov 12th 2007 at 2:55PM }

From what we've heard, the biggest headache for soldiers serving in Iraq (besides, you know, the constant threat of bodily harm) is the boredom. One soldier's wife, unwilling to let her husband go without entertainment, has mounted an effort to get games to those like her husband. That, friends, is real love. The group is called "Fun For Our Troops," and it's trying to raise cash to purchase games for soldiers abroad.

It's a great effort, and one we'd encourage everyone to participate in if they're so inclined. We'll be interested though to see what games they'll be purchasing. Will they go with first-person shooters? Or titles that feature rapping about terrorism? Or will they find the terrifying place where the two intersect? Even so, it would still be better than their last care package.

[Via GamePolitics]

Tags: charity, fun-for-our-troops

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

MR @ Nov 12th 2007 3:08PM

Shouldn't the military be using LCDs rather than lunging those tubes around?

Fox318 @ Nov 12th 2007 3:10PM

CRT's are cheaper.

If they need to spend money they should spend it on better body armor(dragon scales).

Airhab @ Nov 12th 2007 7:49PM

All or the rest of the army's gaming budget goes to Halliburton.

Fox318 @ Nov 12th 2007 3:09PM

If I could make a Solder feel a sense of normalcy for a little while then it is definitely worth it to donate.

dan stabbingworth @ Nov 12th 2007 6:03PM

Maybe some gamers on joystiq with their massive libraries can donate a couple games instead of selling them to gamestop for a pittance. I have some that I wouldn't mind getting rid of.

$Cap\\\'n Jack$

Cap\\\'n Jack @ Nov 13th 2007 11:56AM

*Gasp* You mean America's Army wasn't good enough? :)

9600baud @ Nov 12th 2007 3:09PM

OFF TOPIC but how do you login your posting account? When i try it says "Invalid Password" even though it works just fine when posting... ???

hvnlysoldr @ Nov 12th 2007 4:06PM

Post a comment with just your email and no password. The comment system will send you an email to confirm your comment. The email will remind you the password at the end. Use that password to try to log in. If that fails again, use the send tips link at the top of the page. In the tip list your concern and why it's not working. Chris Grant will then get in touch with services in charge of the commenting system.

9600baud @ Nov 12th 2007 4:20PM

@ hvnlysoldr

Thanks I'll give the SEND TIPS try. I already have that password from the email and it works for posting but not for logging in :(

SoulBlade @ Nov 12th 2007 3:20PM

or you know... we could not spend the 611 billion dollars Bush wants to continue this war and bring them back and spend that money on better things. Or just take a fraction of that ridiculous amount and use that to buy them some games.

angryguy77 @ Nov 12th 2007 3:31PM

We could spend the money on rebuilding our infrastructure after the terrorist riding high on defeating us, come over here and start blowing things up. Or when Iran gets a couple of nukes, we could build some fallout shelters. Wait a minute, I'm completely wrong, if we pull out the rest of the world won't hate us and the UN will keep us safe.

Jeff @ Nov 12th 2007 3:55PM

Angryguy, you watch a lot of Fox news.

hvnlysoldr @ Nov 12th 2007 4:08PM

No! We should spend the money for the Bering Strait Bridge/Tunnel! Imagine connecting the Alaskan Pipe Line directly into Russia's fields. Having an intercontinental railroad and highway system!

Nick @ Nov 12th 2007 4:22PM

Yes angryguy, the terrorists only want to attack us because we have freedom. It has nothing to do with our military bases all over the middle east.

d-pad @ Nov 12th 2007 4:53PM

Right Jeff, because anyone who supports the war in Iraq is a Fox News puppet.

Johndude @ Nov 12th 2007 3:22PM

Dont give people an incentive to join the army lol

xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Nov 12th 2007 3:39PM

Jerkface? Is that you?

Johndude @ Nov 12th 2007 3:51PM

I dont think so lmao

billychaos @ Nov 12th 2007 3:32PM

I think soldiers will enjoy games like WiiSports, Carnival games, and other multiplayer mini games. Why? Becuase it's a good escape to ease their minds. Being in Iraq playing a 'war' has to make you kind of depressed. Just my opinion.

Jeff @ Nov 12th 2007 3:57PM

Oh yeah. Give all the crappy minigames to the troops. Way to be supportive.

Skeffington @ Nov 12th 2007 4:28PM

Actually, I would agree with billychaos. Obviously, I can't speak for soldiers since I am not one, but I wouldn't expect COD4 or Ghost Recon to be very relaxing, no matter how amazing they might be.

But then, I might be completely wrong. If I'm not, then I would suggest that they should give them Endless Ocean on Wii. I've started playing it yesterday.

Most. Chillout. Game. Ever

Slaziman @ Nov 12th 2007 4:34PM

There isn't just "mini-games" and "bloody shooters" you know? There are great "happy" games like Mario Galaxy

Your Ad here 555-1923 @ Nov 12th 2007 5:02PM

I heard Heroine hero is relaxing.

aka Prof Chaos @ Nov 12th 2007 6:13PM

lol at Heroin Hero...

It's been a few years since I was in Iraq, but we played MOHAA all of the time on night shift. I'm just a comm guy in the Air Force, but I saw the Army guys playing their fair share of shooters.

Your Ad here 555-1923 @ Nov 12th 2007 6:57PM

Sorry the damn spellcheck change it to heroine.

Sentry Gun (Jesus) @ Nov 12th 2007 3:39PM

so if I join the army I'll be playing games for free?

count me in

WiNG @ Nov 12th 2007 3:39PM

COD4 CONFIRMED

angryguy77 @ Nov 12th 2007 3:46PM

fenix, I think thats his sister.

xXFenixKnight13Xx @ Nov 12th 2007 3:58PM

lmao!!!!

Cap'n Awesome @ Nov 12th 2007 4:14PM

I don't think this is an appropriate place to argue the politics of warfare...or those of this particular administration. Save that for election day...This is about a wife helping her husband who's obviously in a bad situation. As a gamer, I am showing my support...I applaud Stefanie for doing this. I can't imaging being on the other side of the world, away from everything and everyone I know and love...with bombs droppign all around me. I think anyone in that situation...on either side...could deserve a break.

Nathan M @ Nov 12th 2007 4:17PM

I agree with Cap'n Awesome. Whether you support the war or not, you should always support the troops. If I had any money(and I will after I get a job), I'd donate.

Training @ Nov 12th 2007 4:43PM

I'm guessing no one is going to buy any games for the Iraqis. Oh well. They have to suffer PTSD in silence. No Pokemon to ease your suffering.

gonk @ Nov 12th 2007 4:56PM

send them katamari :)

cybereality @ Nov 12th 2007 5:09PM

Friggin' campers.

GetWellGamers @ Nov 12th 2007 5:11PM

The Get-Well Gamers Foundation is going to supply Mrs. Shea with all the M-rated games that get donated to us. If the kids can't use them, at least they'll do some good for our servicemen and women.

angryguy77 @ Nov 12th 2007 7:25PM

You are right to a point. I reply when I see misinformed people making false accusations against this country. People have to stop blaming America for these terrorist actions. We are not perfect, but we do far more good than bad around the world.

Nick, look at the history of past empires. When they put bases in another land, it was done so to increase their territory, and dominate the local population and increase there nations wealth. Rome,France, and England established colonies and bases around the world to grab land and increase their power. We establish them as a way to protect ourselves from other nation/groups who would like to do us harm. Its called national security. What if Iran gets nukes? What are we supposed to do without having a foot hold over there? To say that this is the reason for 911 and other attacks is dead wrong. Osama and his gang hate the freedoms we have and want to impose their religion on all of us. And even if it was the reason, are they justified? Part of Germany's reason for WWII was a backlash to the treaty they signed after WWI. Was Hitler then justified to kill millions of Jews and bomb the hell out of England?

If you people think that America is evil and what is wromg with the world, then mabey you should pick a better country and live there.

gonk @ Nov 12th 2007 7:44PM

i know why we have bases spread around the world, but lots of other people in 3rd world countries think we are trying to take them over, and that's how terrorist groups get recruits. it sucks, but we just can't stop all the muslim warmongers from telling lies to get recruits

(obviously muslims aren't the only warmongers in the world, so stfu if you wanted to argue that)

angryguy77 @ Nov 12th 2007 7:31PM

And Jeff,
Get an original thought. I love seeing people portray conservatives as fox news robots. I suppose the New York Times and Washington Post are places that I could get an unbiased look at the world. Or maybe I could watch MSNBC and gobble up anything that Kieth Olbermann says. I happen to get my news from various places, I question everything I hear no matter who says it.

James @ Nov 12th 2007 8:07PM

I'm just waiting for a squad of actual Army Rangers to jump into a game of COD4 on XBL with me. I hope the hell I'm on their team, is all I'm saying.

ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 12th 2007 9:26PM

BOOM HEADSHOT!

FunForOurTroops @ Nov 13th 2007 12:13AM

Thank you all for the positive feedback! I have received quite a few emails and donations today - you are AMAZING! :) Several people have asked if we will take game donations- YES we do (included slightly used-in-good-condition games)! I originally was hesitantto accept games because I was afraid average-nongamer-Joe would pick a horrible game out of the discount rack at Walmart and donate it! However, now that I know that gamers will be donating- I know the game choices will be good!

You can mail donations to:
Fun for Our Troops
c/o Dana Brady
506 Corporate Drive West
Langhorne, PA 19047

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
~Stefanie Shea
Fun for Our Troops
Founder, Executive Director Operations
Proud Army Wife

Feel free to contact me for more info!
FunForOurTroops@aol.com