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Operation Supply Drop’s 8-Bit Salute gets support for the troops from Bethesda, Hi-Rez Studios

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Image used with permission by copyright holder
The charity organization Operation Supply Drop is hosting its fourth annual “8-Bit Salute” this weekend to benefit active and former members of the United States military and other NATO allies, and several high-profile names have jumped on board to help reach the program’s $1.337 million goal.

Much like Extra Life, which lets anyone set up a fundraising page for the Children’s Miracle Network as they host a game marathon, 8-Bit Salute tasks participants with raising at least $200 in donations over the course of May 16 and 17. While the program was designed with video games in mind, there are no restrictions: you can even play shuffleboard, if you so desire.

Several big-name studios and production companies are taking part in the fundraiser, as well. SMITE developer Hi-Rez Studios has already raised well over $1,000, while Red vs. Blue creator Rooster Teeth has raised over $3,000.

Bethesda, meanwhile, is hosting a Twitch event to help drive its charity efforts. Saturday features The Evil Within along with its DLC expansions, while Sunday is devoted to the recently-released Wolfenstein: The Old Blood.

Operation Supply Drop’s care packages are truly gargantuan, including Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles and games, controllers, headsets, and even PCs. The packages are shipped every month to troops “downrange and in recovery hospitals.” The organization hopes to be a significant force for good, stating on its website that it “will be for this generation, what the VFW & USO” have been for past veterans.

Reaching specific fundraising goals will net you some “thank you” gifts, as well. Raising $50 or more earns a 3-month license for the XSplit streaming tool, while raising $5000 earns a “Custom OSD GAEMS Vanguard Case” for gaming on the go. The case includes built-in stereo speakers, an LED display, and storage bags for your console’s accessories.

Gabe Gurwin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Gabe Gurwin has been playing games since 1997, beginning with the N64 and the Super Nintendo. He began his journalism career…
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