Blizzard Entertainment today announced that it has donated $1.1 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The money was received from the purchase of the Pandaren Monk pet in World of Warcraft, from which 50 percent of the pet's sales during from November to December 2009 were pledged to the charity.
"We've had a long relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and we're proud to support the priceless work they do for children," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "This donation also reflects the spirit and generosity of our players -- their enthusiasm for World of Warcraft and for supporting a good cause made this possible."
Blizzard presented the money during a ceremony on February 16 at the company's headquarters in Irvine, California. 15 Make-A-Wish children were on hand to get a look at the development of World of Warcraft.
"Thanks to Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft players around the world, we will be able to grant the heartfelt wishes of even more courageous children with life-threatening medical conditions," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and CEO. "This heartfelt generosity is helping us bring hope, strength and joy to children when they - and their families - are facing an unimaginably difficult time in their young lives."
