Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity is expanding its scope to assist children living with a parent in domestic violence shelters nationwide. The charity, known for donating toys, games and cash to hospitalized children, feels this a natural extension of its efforts.

"The mission is the same as far as we're concerned," Penny Arcade's Mike Krahulik told us at PAX East.

"Children make up a significant percentage of the population that move through domestic violence shelters on an annual basis: providing them with a way to escape some of the stress and struggle is directly in line with what the charity set out to do," Child's Play Charity's Jamie Dillion told Joystiq. "Our mission is to improve the lives of children through the kindness and generosity of the video game industry and the power of play. Games can and do have a hugely positive impact for kids who are enduring stress, whether it is from illness or an unsafe home."

Child's Play raised $3.5 million in 2011.
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/ch...abuse-victims/