Kotaku
I know a lot of you read my story last week about the Big Texan Steak Ranch waitress in Amarillo, Texas who wanted a Wii for her son so I just wanted to give you all an update on what is happening with it. A terrific guy named Scott Rays stepped forward and donated a brand new Wii and as I write this I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival so I can wrap it and send it down. After being sure I had acquired the Wii I started a round of phone calls to my contacts at the various publishers to see if I could track down some games. EA, Namco/Bandai, Capcom and a few others who have requested to remain anonymous have all donated some games so this lucky guy and his mom should have a lot to open on Christmas morning.
To everyone who wrote in with offers of systems and games, etc: I received so many responses that it would have been impossible to write everyone back personally, so I'll take this opportunity to tell everyone thank you. Due to the huge response they will be well taken care of on the games front. But if you still want to help out this holiday (or any time for that matter), please consider donating to Child's Play or another of the many well deserving charities out there.
I spoke with Rachel (the waitress) personally this morning and she wanted me to thank everyone for all their kindness and well wishes. She said she will be sending some pictures from Christmas morning that I will be sure to post as soon as I get them.
Happy Holidays, all!
Comments
A happy end to a touching story.
Great job to Flynn and all of those who had offer to contribute to giving another a Happy Holidays!
Aww. This has been really great so far. Glad that everything can go well. And I'm sure the kid will be super happy to get all that on christmas.
Flynn, you are awesome! way to make someones Christmas special... This is why kotaku is always getting refreshed when I'm at work, and not some other sites.
Out of curiosity, why would a publisher request anonymity? Sounds like great publicity....
@robbrechter: Because then anyone would call that one up for free stuff I'd assume.
@robbrechter: I was thinking that too. Ah well, a nice end to a great story. Thanks for making their wish come true.
Does jesus work at kotakue?
Kudos to Flynn! It's fantastic the way you were able to pull this together.
@robbrechter: Actually, I would be less of a skeptic and suggest that they wanted to give the gift out of kindness and not for public accolades. So, they decided to remain anonymous. Every year, many contributions are made anonymously because people want the focus to be on the gift, not the giver.
It possible other reasons are true -- they don't want people with their hands out ... or, their games suck and they don't want to be blamed by the family :P During this season, I'll choose to believe my first explanation.
Thats great to hear.
You saved Christmas for one person this year.
Flynn, you are the man!!! How many times can I say it? Such an awesome thing of you to do, and everyone else who is helping.
Remember to donate to Childs Play guys!!!
It just shows that in an age full of violence and abuse, there are still many who will rally to a good cause. It makes me realise that there is still a lot of good in the world.
It may sound cheesy, but this is definitely what the holidays are all about. Stories like these make my day :)
Good job everyone! Go Team Kotaku!
HUGE props, Flynn. This kind of thing is what Christmas is really all about. *Applause*
Great story Flynn, this is why Kotaku is so great!
You guys did a wonderful thing for this boy and his family. You earn my respect.
@Kaemon: I can just imagine people phoning up EA right now and demanding free copies of games because they've got a headache :P
@Skitzoap: ha, ha... great minds think alike :p
@Nereos: Human history is an age of abuse and violence, this decade shouldn't be singled out as an 'age of violence'..
Nice work Flynn, one way you changed a life..
Please keep us updated Flynn. You're one of a kind.
Aaaaawwwwwwwwwww.....
This is so lovely, got me all teary eyed.
Great to see the community respond the way they did and I'm sure this kid is going to have a great Christmas morning thanks to Flynn and everyone who made donations. Bravo!
I will donate a 360 so the kid can have a real gaming system! hehe jk guys.
Glad to see someone getting a lot of help from a community.
I live in Amarillo!
Yes, that was a shameless plug. :)
Flynn, you're just awesome. You just touched this whole blog, guaranteed. Happy Holidays. =)
WOO!
Merry Wii-mas indeed
This is why I <3 Kotaku. This (among other sites mind you) is the heart of the gamer community; in the midst of big companies trying to make our favorite hobby about selling soda, pushing franchises, and fraudulent reviews, it's nice to know that when it comes right down to it, we're just a bunch of people who love having fun, playing games, and helping others.
good job...the world needs more like you and all those who tried to help
@Zeouterlimits: I'll be more specific: Teenagers who get involved in gang violence. There's a hell of a lot of that here in Blighty, and i'm pretty sure America has it's fair share too. I just wish that elderly people didn't have to be afraid to leave their homes at night, as is becoming the case now.
But i digress, as i said before, it's inspiring to know that there's still people who will go out of their way to help others.
good to hear.
Good to hear that everything has worked out. The offer is still on the table though, any games or accessories, just shoot me a message. Be glad to help. I'll also check out that Child's Play. Merry Christmas!
Sweet! I had no doubts that the Kotaku crew would come through. Nice to see that you received so many offers and will be able to provide games on top of the system.
I'm ready to see pictures of someone holding their Wii!*
*My first Wii/phallus joke I swear.
I'm actually watching the Grinch right now (the original,) and I can't help but say that many a hearts grew three sizes that day.
Send a Merry Christmas to the fellow gamers from myself, and I'm sure the other Kotakuites!
@Nereos:
Its still the exception not the rule. The media just highlights and amplifies. While crime in teenage years is the highest in any age group (it usually is) it has been rather steadily declining
[www.ojp.usdoj.gov]
Interesting time we live in. I feel like these random acts of kindness are happening more often because of how connected we all are these days due to the web and telecom etc.
Now we need to make it less random and continue the good will in our primary expenditure of energy, one example would be by paying a bit of attention to the world outside of our daily lives and actually voting!
These stories are proof that we have it in our hearts to want to make the world a better place.
You, sir, win a year's supply of internets. Scott Rays wins, as well. This really made my day right here.
That is just pure awesome. And to think this all happened because you were wearing your Reggie shirt.
>(^.^)< Must be sure to keep reading these articles to keep up hope in humanity. Wayta go!
Wow that's great. I second the "keep faith in humanity" sentiments. With all the abominal shit that's going on in the world. It's hard to see the good when it shines through.
Good job guys.
Hats off to you on the site. And the posters/commenters that helped or wanted to contribute to make it happen.
This is truly awesome. If only the whole world shared the same spirit and heart as you, Flynn...we'd be living a lot better.
Tis the season of giving, and I'm happy to be part of the gift that is Kotaku.
Awesome! Definitely post the photos whenever you get em. This makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Its funny that Nintendo isn't listed as a corporate sponsor on that Childs play site.
It's good to know that there are still good people among us. You've just made this guy and his mom's year a whole lot better. I can't help but smile when stuff like this happens. I realize that it's kind of late and that getting it there on time would be near impossible, but my offer still stands. If you'd like more games or controllers for the Wii, I'll gladly get some. Props to everyone else who offered to help this family. I tip my hat to you, fine sirs and madams.
This was probably the most touching story I've seen here on Kotaku. Flynn, amazing work. I sincerely mean that. You're a saint.
This is why you're my favorite editor! I always knew you would get that Wii. You have the pure spirit of a deity.
Great story, I'll make sure to check the pics once they're up
Yay Flynn and Kotaku!
Gotta love it when gamers help other less fortunate gamers.
Nice work Flynn, Merry Christmas!
Bravo
And kudos to the publishers that donated games
@EVULCOW: People ARE doing that, haha. Haven't you seen the Rock Band tech support forums?
Yay! Merry Christmas! Woohoo! Good work Flynn and everyone involved.
That literally brought a smile to my face. I am really happy for them. I guess Christmas miracles do happen!