Fundraiser Ends at $31,000!

After over a month of unbelievable support from the Team Fortress 2 community, the Golden Charity fundraiser for Child’s Play has concluded with $31,000 in donations from nearly 2,000 donors.* Thank you so much for this incredible support!

As promised, the celebration came to a final close on August 31, 2010, when all 13 Golden Wrenches were destroyed.

If you’ve just found out about this event and wish to support Child’s Play Charity, you can donate to them at any time at their official web site.

NOTE: At this time, no further additions to the Update Log or the Steam Group will be made (except retroactively for eligible donations).

Update History

Media

Destroying the Wrench

As many people know, I’ve planned to destroy Golden Wrench #31 ever since receiving it. While I’ve often briefly described my intentions, I’d like to take this time to explain my motivations, what I seek to accomplish, and ask you for your help and support.

Since its inception, the Golden Wrench stirred up a lot of controversy; it was an item whose hype was matched only by its rarity. Releasing only 100 of the items, at random, to the Team Fortress 2 population, Valve incurred the ire of many players who crafted their entire inventories in vain. Meanwhile, 99 jokers and I got awarded these rare weapons at random. These weapons induce a magical, Midas effect and even feature several lines of item-specific kill dialog.

The Steam community has seen a bevy of bad emotions resulting from this distribution (and, in some cases, from hacking-related fallout), and as an owner of the Wrench, I’ve also experienced a bit of its curse. While it’s certainly fun to wield this magical weapon, it’s also served as a source of constant inquiry, hate, jealousy, and unwanted negative attention. It’s a shame that such a fun item was so limited; it has ultimately made Team Fortress 2 less fun, not more.

A Golden Opportunity for Positive Change

So, in my infinite wisdom, I’ve decided that perhaps Golden Wrench #31 is better served destroyed than remaining to exist. I also decided that, if I were to destroy it, why shouldn’t I try to make something good come of the situation? To create something positive of this utterly divisive, bitter issue? And for that reason, I’ve chosen to run a fundraiser to benefit the Child’s Play Charity, culminating in the destruction of the Golden Wrench. So far, this movement has gained the support of thousands, including 10 other Golden Wrench owners who have chosen to join me and delete their gold-plated playthings for charity.

For those of you unfamiliar with this charity, Child’s Play is associated with Penny Arcade and works to donate movies, games, toys, and other goods to children’s hospitals around the country. These items help children, many of whom are seriously (or even terminally) ill to better endure their hospital stays. This organization has consistently worked with the gaming community to show that gamers like you and me can make a positive difference in the lives of children who need our help.

How You Can Help Turn Gold into Good

The task at hand is simple. Below, you’ll find a widget allowing you to donate any amount you wish to give directly to the Child’s Play Charity. Your gift will be tallied, along with the gifts of all other contributors, through August 23. These donations will help bring joy, entertainment, and comfort to ill children who desperately need something to help them through an incredibly difficult part of their lives.

On August 31st, 12 fellow Golden Wrench owners and I will destroy the our Golden Wrenches, and invite the 20 most generous contributors to commemorate the event in-server and celebrate their demise. This game will be hosted courtesy of Baron’s Pub Servers. Take screen shots, record demos, and be the last people ever immortalized as these wrenches’ victims before these limited items are permanently deleted. The destruction of each wrench will also result in a global announcement to all TF2 players.

Additionally, a special video will be made to celebrate the generous donations of the entire community.

So please, take a minute of your time and a couple dollars to help turn a useless virtual item into real and permanent good for children in need. Be a hero to someone in pain, and be a part of Team Fortress 2 history forever.

Donate any amount you can; every dollar helps someone in need.If you would like to be added to the Charity Update Log

or the official Steam Group for this fundraiser, follow the instructions on the Update Log page.

Please share this page with as many people as you can,

especially those active in the Team Fortress 2 community.

*This total includes offline donations and donations made by check, which were not recorded by the ChipIn widget.

