The Make-A-Wish Foundation Announce That Blizzard Entertainment Have Made A Donation Of $1.1 Million

The Make-A-Wish foundation have revealed that Blizzard Entertainment have made a donation of $1.1 Million. Blizzard Entertainment released a special World of Warcraft in-game pet, The Pandaren Monk, from which 50% of the total sales between November 2009 and December 2009 would be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Blizzard Entertainment made the presentation at their California headquarters were 15 Wish Children were invited to learn and experience the development of World Of Warcraft. The Pictures and captions below were provided with the press release.

Wish kid Jordan Cofinco shares a light moment with Frank Pearce and Chris Metzen of Blizzard Entertainment during an exclusive tour of the company's headquarters in Irvine, Calif.

Blizzard Entertainment CEO and cofounder Mike Morhaime presents a $1.1 million donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of Blizzard and its World of Warcraft player community. Accepting the donation are Mark Pilon (right), president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, and Jon Stettner (left), Make-A-Wish Foundation International president and CEO

Press Release

PHOENIX --(Business Wire)-- Feb 17, 2010 The Make-A-Wish Foundation today announced a $1.1 million donation from Blizzard Entertainment, a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. The donation is based on 50 percent of the total sales during November and December 2009 of a special in-game pet, the Pandaren Monk, for Blizzard's award-winning, massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft®.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Blizzard made the presentation during a special ceremony at the company's headquarters in Irvine, Calif. Blizzard invited 15 wish children who are also gaming enthusiasts and their families to enjoy an exclusive learning experience with the World of Warcraft development team, including an inside look at how the game is created.

“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.”

The contribution will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, which serves children with life-threatening medical conditions in the United States and its territories, and Make-A-Wish Foundation International, which grants the wishes of children outside the United States in 35 countries.

“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 chief executive officer. “This 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.”

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world. With the help of generous donors and more than 30,000 volunteers worldwide, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 240,000 wishes worldwide since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, visitwish.org, and for Make-A-Wish Foundation International, visit worldwish.org.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes eleven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users.