Today, we are kicking off the 2007 WinCustomize Subscription Drive.  2005 was the last time we made a major and dedicated appeal to the community asking for their support in helping to keep the site alive and running, and we were incredibly pleased with the support you all showed through the purchase (or renewal) of subscriptions.  It was that support that helped us continue to offer and expand the services on WinCustomize that everyone has come to enjoy and even depend on over the years.

This year, two full years after our previous drive, we're doing things differently.  We've grown so much in that time in terms of community and site scope, that we felt it was time to give something back to the real-world community we live in.  So this year, a portion of every subscription purchased ($2.99) between today, and December 14th, will be donated to Childs Play, a charity dedicated to donating toys, games and movies to children's hospitals.  There are few people more in need of a toy or game to brighten their day than the kids who find themselves spending the holidays in a hospital bed.  Specifically, the money raised will be going to the Children's Hospital of Michigan, Stardock's local participating hospital.

We have two goals this year, the first is how many new and renewing subscribers we want to sign-up during the drive, the second is how much money we want to raise for Childs Play.

• Subscription Goal: 2,000
• Charity Goal: $5,000

We have 44 days total to meet this goal, and I think we can do it!

Another change this year is we've invited our Master Skinners to participate in the drive.  They were asked over a month ago if they would be willing to donate a portion of the income they receive from their Master Skin sales to the charity.  They could donate anywhere from 5% to 100% of their revenue.  Several of our skinners answered the call and have offered up several of their works to help out this cause.  For that I'd like to thank vStyler, RomanDA, I.R Brainiac, brewman, treetog, SK Originals, Stardock Design and adni18 (who I accidentally missed when I posted the original annoucement.  SO SORRY!) 

This year there is also a dedicated page just for the drive where you can see our progress towards our goal, what Master Skins specifically are participating, as well as an FAQ and a bit more detail about Childs Play

https://www.wincustomize.com/charity.aspx

Over the course of this year's drive (Nov 1st - Dec 14th) I will be giving daily updates on our progress, as well as talk about why subscriptions are important, what you get, what we're planning, as well as talking a bit about the skins and skinners that are participating.

So as the holiday season gears up, we hope you'll help both the WinCustomize community, and Childs Play by purchasing a subscription either for yourself, or for someone else.  Your dollars keep this site going day-in, day-out.

If you have any questions at all about this year's drive, don't hesitate to drop me a line.  Just email me at mikec@stardock.com with the subject "WC Charity" and I'll do my best to get back to you quickly.