Aug 1, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern
Games For Heroes: Teens Help Soldiers Overseas
Teens Ship Consoles, Cartridges To Fighting Men & Women
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (CBS) ―
Like many suburban teenagers, Peter Gallagher and Jack Wilson have spent a lot of time this summer with video games.
But they haven't just been killing time with a Gameboy, Nintendo DS, or PSP. They've been collecting dozens of game players and hundreds of game cartridges to send to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This really helps us connect with the soldiers on a whole different level," said 16-year-old Jack.
"We're letting them know that we're all here, we're thinking about them," added Peter, also 16.
The young men, both students at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, said they have tremendous respect for the sacrifices being made by servicemen and servicewomen in the two war zones, and they wanted to show their appreciation.
When they learned that most soldiers in Iraq are in their early 20s, Jack and Peter correctly surmised that portable video games must be a prime boredom buster for the modern military.
So the teens decided to create "Games for Heroes." They put collection boxes at several Westchester County schools, churches, and synagogues to collect new and used game players and cartridges. They also established a Web site,
www.GamesForHeroes.com, to promote the effort and collect PayPal donations.
It's been quite a success.
"So far we've collected almost $20,000 worth of equipment and donations," said Peter. "It's amazing how many people have wanted to take part."
Corporations involved in the video game industry, including G-NET and Electronic Arts, have also made major donations to the effort.
The equipment and the money are sent to a well-regarded Missouri group, Marine Parents, which coordinates distribution to Marine units in the two war zones. A White Plains-based Marine Corps recruiter, Staff Sgt. John Lock, is helping the teens run the project.
Lock said vets who've returned from the wars told him handheld video games are tremendously popular.
"It's a great way to kill time, and soldiers love that they can just slip the games into a pocket or a bag," said Lock.
With many cartridges selling for $20 to $30, and new Nintendo DS units selling for $120, Lock said "Games for Heroes" is providing a valuable token of appreciation.
"It means a lot," said Lock. "It lets the military know we are receiving support from home, and people are thinking about us serving in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Added Jack: "Peter and I admire what these men and women overseas go through every day. We felt we needed to do something to let them know we care."
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