Win hardware, collectibles, and more in the 2022 Ars Technica Charity Drive

It's once again that special time of year when we give you a chance to do well by doing good. That's right—it's time for the 2022 edition of our annual Charity Drive!

Every year since 2007, we've encouraged readers to give to Penny Arcade's Child's Play charity, which provides toys and games to kids being treated in hospitals around the world. In recent years, we've added the Electronic Frontier Foundation to our charity push, aiding in their efforts to defend Internet freedom. This year, as always, we're providing some extra incentive for those donations by offering donors a chance to win pieces of our big pile of vendor-provided swag. We can't keep it, and we don't want it clogging up our offices. So it's now yours to win.

This year's swag pile is full of high-value geek goodies. We have 25 prizes valued at over $2,000 total, including gaming hardware and accessories, collectibles, books, apparel, and more. In 2021, Ars readers raised over $40,000 for charity, contributing to a total haul of more than $435,000 since 2007. We want to raise even more this year, and we can do it if readers really dig deep.

How it works

Donating is easy. Simply donate to Child's Play using PayPal or donate to the EFF using PayPal, credit card, or Bitcoin. You can also support Child's Play directly by picking an item from the Amazon wish list of a specific hospital on its donation page. Donate as much or as little as you feel comfortable with—every little bit helps.

Once that's done, it's time to register your entry in our sweepstakes. Just grab a digital copy of your receipt (a forwarded email, a screenshot, or simply a cut-and-paste of the text) and send it to ArsCharityDrive@gmail.com with your name, postal address, daytime telephone number, and email address by 11:59 pm ET Tuesday, January 3, 2023. (One entry per person, and each person can only win up to one prize. US residents only. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. See official rules for more information, including how to enter without making a donation. Also, refer to the Ars Technica privacy policy.)

We'll then contact the winners and have them choose their prize by January 31 (choosing takes place in the order the winners are drawn).

The prizes

Here are quick descriptions of some of the biggest, most desirable prizes in this year's lineup. See the next page for a complete list of the available prizes.

Slaw Device RH Rotor flight simulator rudder pedals (used)

Take your flight sim experience to the next level with these high-end pedal controllers. Ars' review highlighted how you could "rule the skies" with these pedals meant for the "crazy enthusiast" market.

Blazepods and accessories pack (used)

These training lights are made for pro Formula 1 drivers who want to work on their reaction times for peak performance. But they're also fun for more amateur drivers or fitness aficionados, as Ars' write-up makes clear. This set comes with six blazepods, a carrying case, three suction mounts, two straps, and two baseplates.

Evercade VS console w/ two cartridges

Evercade's follow-up to its retro portable console keeps the cartridge-based gameplay but moves the action to your HDTV. With support for up to four wired controllers and Wi-Fi system updates, you can play hundreds of licensed games available in dozens of cartridge collections. This prize package comes with two cartridges, including games from Gaelco and Technos.

Sega Genesis Mini 2

This follow-up to 2019's original miniature Genesis plug-and-play system was available only in extremely low supplies in the West. The lucky gamers who got their hands on a unit, though, could enjoy over 60 Genesis and Sega CD games, including some previously unreleased games and arcade ports.

None of the big prizes grabbing your attention yet? Check out the next page for a list of additional prizes you can win by entering!