Some of you might be familiar with Rich Burlew and his work on Order of the Stick. On his main page he had a story with a link to the confirmation that Gary Gygax’s favorite charity, Christian Children’s Fund, had rejected the money raised for them at Gencon because part of the money had come from sales of Dungeons and Dragons materials. I think it’s a shame that the image of gamers tucked in dark closets rolling dice and worshipping Satan still persists down to this day. Anyhoo, he provides a link so you can send an email to this organization to let them know just how disappointed you are with their actions, especially in light that this was done en memoriam for one of their, and our, biggest supporters: Gary E. Gygax. I encourage all of you to send an email to: algoddard@ccfusa.org but be polite, we need to provide them with little ammunition.
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It was brought to the attention of us at Cavalier Cavalry Productions that your organization rejected the money collected on the behalf of the passed Gary E. Gygax on the basis that the money came partially from sales of Dungeons and Dragons materials.
This, to us, makes little sense.
First, Gencon is a huge event. While we were unable to attend, we have many friends who did. Being from a completely different background, none of them actually were involved in D&D events, yet participated generously in the donation drives. Your actions have robbed these men and women of their chance to help the children under your auspicies.
Second, most D&D players are fine, normal, well-balanced people nowadays since the “gaming” stigma in society has been lifted. Our local D&D group, in actuality, does not game on Sunday as real life needs prevent the participation in a purely fictional and entertainment gathering. You might have heard of this distraction preventing them from meeting to play D&D, it’s known as “church services”. These people have also been denied.
Third, your stance makes little sense, as you have recieved sizeable contributions in Mr. Gary Gygax’s name before. If you haven’t realized, and the connection is a little nebulous, a great deal of his earnings, and therefore his contributions, came from the sale of D&D material.
The gaming community has come a long way since we were stuck in the back of small hole-in-the-wall shops to the point where we can hold a major event at one of the premier convention centers in the United States. All we wanted to do was give back to the communities that have begun to accept us, and in particular to one charity that was apparently beloved by a man who believed in us from beginning to end. We will not go back into our little rooms, and we are confident enough now to let our voice be heard.
Next time, if we (the gaming community) as a group donate to your cause, please look at our intentions as a diverse group of people who, for the most part, believe in the same ideas and goals as your organization does. One of your biggest believers and one of our biggest believers would have wanted it that way.
Douglas C. Glendower,
Director
Cavalier Cavalry Productions
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