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Hollywood Video and Game Crazy Give Gift of Entertainment to Starlight's Seriously Ill Children

Posted on: Thursday, 4 June 2009, 08:04 CDT

- Retailers launch June fundraising campaign to support Starlight Children's Foundation -

WILSONVILLE, Ore., June 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite tough economic times, Hollywood Video and Game Crazy stores are continuing their deep commitment to long-standing nonprofit partner, Starlight Children's Foundation. Beginning on June 8th, and lasting through July 5th, all Hollywood Video and Game Crazy stores will host an in-store fundraising effort to raise money for Starlight, which helps children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses or injuries cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

"We love this campaign and encourage everyone to join Hollywood Video and Game Crazy stores in a nationwide effort to improve the quality of life for seriously ill children and their families," said Paula Van Ness, chief executive officer of Starlight Children's Foundation. "The 'Star' campaign makes it really easy for every single person to make a donation of as little as $1, and collectively it will make a huge difference in our families' lives."

To participate, Hollywood Video and Game Crazy customers can make a donation of $1 or more at store checkout. In return, a personalized "Star" icon - resembling the stars from the Hollywood Walk of Fame - will be posted prominently in the store, recognizing their generosity and support. One hundred percent of the funds collected go to Starlight. The companies will kick-off the program with a donation of $50,000 in Hollywood Video gift cards.

"Starlight does a tremendous service to sick children and their families, and over the past six years our customers have been extremely generous in helping us support this great organization," said Cliff Torng, chief marketing officer, Movie Gallery, Inc. "Our guests clearly recognize the healing power of entertainment, and with their help we have been able to bring a little joy to the lives of thousands of children."

Since 2002, Hollywood Video and Game Crazy have donated more than $3 million in cash and in-kind donations to Starlight. The funds have been used in a variety of ways including to create Hollywood Video Starlight Site(TM) teen lounges at four hospitals nationwide. The lounges offer children a place to watch movies, play games and relax with friends and family; a welcome respite from the rigors of ongoing medical treatment. When children are too ill to leave their hospital rooms, mobile Fun Centers(TM) are welcome bedside visitors. These high-tech units, equipped with a Nintendo Wii(TM), Sharp(R) AQUOS(TM) LCD television, and DVD players make the joys of entertainment fun and accessible, while helping to melt away the long hours associated with hospital stays.

For more information, or to make a "Star" donation, please visit your local Hollywood Video or Game Crazy stores. To find the store nearest you, visit www.hollywoodvideo.com or www.gamecrazy.com.

About Game Crazy

Game Crazy(R) (www.gamecrazy.com) is the nation's second largest specialty game retailer with approximately 550 locations across the country. Game Crazy provides customers with a vast selection of game titles, consoles and accessories; terrific value on new, used and trade-in games; and unmatched expertise. Headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, Game Crazy is owned and operated by Movie Gallery, Inc, which is also the parent company for the Movie Gallery and Hollywood Video brands. Movie Gallery, Inc. is the second largest North American home entertainment specialty retailer with more than 3,700 stores located in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

About Hollywood Video

Hollywood Video(R) (www.hollywoodvideo.com) is one of the nation's largest video rental chains with more than 1,300 locations across the country. Hollywood Video offers one of the widest selections of movie and game titles, for rental and for sale, both new and used. The Company strives to deliver an exceptional customer experience to every customer with warm and friendly service in an inviting atmosphere. Founded in 1988 in Wilsonville, Oregon, Hollywood Video is owned and operated by Movie Gallery, Inc, which is also the parent company for the Game Crazy and Movie Gallery brands. Movie Gallery, Inc. is the second largest North American home entertainment specialty retailer with more than 3,700 stores located in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.

About Starlight Children's Foundation

When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For 25 years, Starlight Children's Foundation has been dedicated to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Starlight's programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit www.starlight.org.

Media Contacts: Jennifer Newberg, jnewberg@coneinc.com/617.939.8359 Marc Berliner, mberliner@coneinc.com/617.939.8467

SOURCE Movie Gallery, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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