Twitch teams with Operation Supply Drop for military charity
Video game broadcasting platform Twitch is partnering with Operation Supply Drop for the 24-hour charitable game streaming marathon 8-Bit Salute. The marathon is entering its third year and will be held May 17 - 18, with donations raised during 8-Bit Salute used to fund video game care packages for both combat-zone deployed troops in the military as well as those recovering in military hospitals. Past funds from Operation Supply Drop include Operation: Dragon Punch in September 2011, which aided a squad Northern Afghanistan.
Twitch will promote the event and encourage its "top broadcasters" to participate as well. The announcement mentions a few Twitch partners that have already pledged their support of 8-Bit Salute, such The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog and gaming headset manufacturer Astro Gaming. Viewers will have the opportunity to win prizes during the marathon via Operation Supply Drop's website. Those looking to participate in this year's 8-Bit Salute event can register here.
[Image: Operation Supply Drop]
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Operation Supply Drop Partners with Twitch for "8-Bit Salute" Charity Event: World's leading video game streaming platform joins list of supporters for military and combat veterans' focused charity event May 17-18, 2014
Military-focused video game charity Operation Supply Drop today announced that it is partnering with Twitch, the world's leading video platform and community for gamers, to raise funds for the third-annual "8-Bit Salute," a 24-hour gaming marathon to be held May 17-18, 2014. Donations raised during this charity event will fund video game care packages, offering much needed diversion and stress-relief to combat-zone deployed troops and those recovering in military hospitals.
"Operation Supply Drop is providing an incredible service to our country's armed forces with a thoughtful and unique approach," said Ben Goldhaber, Director of Content Marketing, Twitch. "Twitch and our community are big supporters of philanthropic endeavors, so we applaud anyone who uses our platform to make a difference."
"Operation Supply Drop could not be more excited to add Twitch to our arsenal of high-powered supporters from the games industry," added Glenn "Commander" Banton, Chief Marketing Officer and Chairman of the Board for Operation Supply Drop. "The massive audience reach of Twitch and the power of its community of gamers is unparalleled, and we know they will be among the leaders in this effort to support our troops at home and abroad."
Twitch will provide promotion via their site prior to and during the event as well as encouraging their top broadcasters to participate in the event. Already, top ten Twitch broadcaster "Trick2g" – whose gaming streams have been watched by over 40 million viewers – has pledged his support of the "8-Bit Salute." Other key partners include developer Naughty Dog (2013 Developer of the Year, The Last of Us) and gaming-headset powerhouse ASTRO Gaming. They have pledged significant donations and will assemble fundraising teams via the Operation Supply Drop website at www.operationsupplydrop.org. There, fans will have a chance to win a variety of great prizes while raising awareness and funds for our troops.
About Operation Supply Drop:
Founded in 2010 by former Army Airborne Ranger, Captain Stephen "Shanghai Six" Machuga, Operation Supply Drop is a 501(c)(3) public charity that sends video game themed care packages to servicemen and women deployed to combat zones or recovering in military hospitals around the world. To date, Operation Supply Drop has raised over $700,000 in games and gear from across the gaming community and has helped approximately 2,500 active duty military members and veterans worldwide.
Operation Supply Drop's Twitch channel: http://www.twitch.tv/operationsupplydrop
