Zynga has announced its latest fundraising campaign – no, not a Kickstarter for a new -Ville, but a charity drive. Through “Oh, What Fun!” (which sounds like a silly name until you remember it's a lyric from Jingle Bells), Zynga will donate a certain subset of players' in-game purchases to Toys for Tots, a charity that provides gifts for less-fortunate children in the United States.
From now until the end of this year (i.e. December 31st), players will be able to directly donate through buying the following in seven of Zynga's popular games:
FarmVille
Farmers send your neighbors some holiday cheer with the cheer-ewe-up horse ($1) and in return receive a festive holiday teddy tree to decorate your farm.
CityVille
Deck your city halls by completing toy crafting quests where you make, wrap and sell gifts to kids for the holiday, prices range from $1 to $10.
CastleVille
Bedazzle your castle and medieval landscape with three sparkling animated holiday accents: candy cane ($1), snow villa ($5) or royal tower ($15).
Words With Friends
In between your triple word scores send a text message from your mobile phone to donate to Toys for Tots. Text keyword TOTS to 501501 to donate $5* or GIFT to donate $10**.
Draw Something
In between creating your masterpiece, make a donation to Toys for Tots by sending a text message! Send keyword TOYS to 501501 to donate $5* or text JOYt o donate $10**.
Bubble Safari
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell Pop! Pop your way through the holidays with Bubbles the monkey by purchasing three packages of power-ups, energy, and currency, prices range from $1 to $20.
Pioneer Trail
Discover and open a Toys for Tots mystery box for six possible critters to purchase, prices range from $4 to $5.
Some of the donations are not available for the full period, so check Zynga's site first if you want to take part.
