Video Game Marathon Raises Money To Help Hospitalized Kids

YPSILANTI (AP) - About 2,000 people are expected to take part in a 24-hour video game marathon this weekend at Eastern Michigan University to benefit hospitalized children.

The "Gamers for Giving" event starts Saturday at the Ypsilanti school's Convocation Center. It seeks to raise $100,000 to support of the nonprofit Gamers Outreach Foundation.

Participants get a chance to win a number of cash prizes. Money raised during the event goes toward building game carts, called "GO Karts," that are designed to be taken to the room of a hospitalized child so they can play, chat online or watch a movie.

Gamers for Giving began several years ago, founded by a group of Michigan high school students. A live online broadcast of the event is planned.