### Help Drive the Ars Technica Charity Total Beyond $16,000 in Just Over a Week
The festive season is a time for generosity, and Ars Technica’s yearly Charity Drive is currently underway, providing readers the opportunity to support worthy causes while also entering to win a selection of exciting prizes. Having raised nearly $16,000 in just over a week, the drive is off to a promising beginning, yet there’s ample opportunity to amplify the impact further. Whether your interests lie in championing digital rights or aiding children in need, this charity initiative is a wonderful chance to give back while also having the opportunity to win over $4,000 in prizes.
### The Charities: EFF and Child’s Play
This year, the Ars Technica Charity Drive is backing two remarkable organizations:
1. **Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF):** The EFF is a nonprofit organization committed to safeguarding civil liberties in the digital age. From advocating for privacy rights to championing free speech online, the EFF tirelessly strives to ensure technology benefits the public.
2. **Child’s Play:** This charity aims to enhance the well-being of children in hospitals and domestic violence shelters through the gift of play. By supplying toys, games, and other forms of entertainment, Child’s Play brings joy and solace to children navigating tough situations.
At present, donations are shared between these two initiatives, with Child’s Play enjoying a slight edge. Nevertheless, both organizations equally deserve your backing, and every donation contributes to their cause.
### How to Get Involved
Participating in the donation and sweepstakes process is straightforward and easy. Here’s how you can join in:
1. **Make a Donation:**
– Support **Child’s Play** via credit card, PayPal, or by selecting an item from their Amazon wish list for a particular hospital. You can also visit the [Ars Technica campaign page](https://my.onecause.com/fundraiser/organizations/8534d777-53ce-4d94-a537-c8e0cbb7acb0/fundraisers/fundraiser:ae0c129c-94ac-4e63-a265-20b71ac4bd03) to donate directly.
– Donate to the **EFF** using PayPal, credit card, or cryptocurrency via their [donation page](http://eff.org/AT2014).
Feel free to contribute any amount that suits you—each bit helps these vital organizations continue their important work.
2. **Enter the Sweepstakes:**
After donating, register your entry by sending a digital receipt (like a forwarded email, screenshot, or text copy) to **[email protected]**. Ensure you include your name, mailing address, daytime phone number, and email address.
– Deadline: Entries must be in by **11:59 PM ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2025**.
– Note: Open to U.S. residents only. No purchase is needed to enter. For additional information, check the [official rules](https://arstechnica.com/2024-ars-technica-charity-drive-official-rules/).
3. **Win Fantastic Prizes:**
Winners will be notified and allowed to select their prizes based on the order they are drawn. The prize pool features over $4,000 in hardware, collectibles, and more, with selections to be finalized by **January 31, 2025**.
### Why You Should Donate Now
Although the charity drive continues until early January, there’s no need to postpone your donation. By contributing today, you ensure that your support is put to use right away, assisting these incredible organizations during the holiday period. Plus, you’ll secure your sweepstakes entry while it’s at the forefront of your mind.
### A Look Back: The Record to Beat
In 2020, Ars Technica readers set a benchmark by contributing over $58,000 during the charity drive. This year’s initiative is off to a vibrant start, but there’s still a long way to go to meet or exceed that record. With your help, we can turn 2024 into another landmark year of altruism and compassion.
### Join the Movement
The Ars Technica Charity Drive is more than merely a fundraising campaign—it’s a collective effort to effect positive change in the world. By taking part, you’re not just supporting two extraordinary causes but also becoming part of a giving tradition that has brought joy and relief to countless lives throughout the years.
So, what are you waiting for? Go to the donation pages for [Child’s Play](https://childsplay.salsalabs.org/Donate/index.html) or the [EFF](http://eff.org/AT2014), make your donation, and register your entry today. Together, we can elevate this year’s charity total to new levels and genuinely impact the lives of those in need.
