Now here's some big news to end the year on a good note. We're letting you know that the Child's Play charity drive has successfully accumulated donations in excess of US$ 1,135,000. This effectively beats out the movement's quota from last year.

Child's Play, for those asking, is a Seattle-based charitable organization founded in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, aka Gabe and Tycho of the Penny Arcade web comic.

The organization donates free DVDs, books, and toys to sick kids around the world and also supports hospitals in Canada, Britain, Egypt, and Australia.

Based on the statements from the official Child's Play site, the donations streamed in at a steadier pace compared to last year, with December's first week accumulating a total of US$ 600,000. This figure increased to US$ 851,000 in the following week and to a staggering US$ 974,000 before hitting the one million mark soon after.

To all the individuals who went the extra mile to make this happen, we're sure the recipients of your donations are most grateful. Here's to hoping this news heralds better times ahead for 2008.