Bodog Founder Leads Call to Haiti Aid

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The reach of the electronic media is such today that the tragedy in Haiti has been telecast to every living room in the world. Everyone is aware of the enormity of the financial contribution required. In times like this in the past the online gaming industry has not shirked its responsibility. This time one of the stalwarts of the industry and the founder of the Bodog brand, Calvin Ayre, has taken the lead in the call for funds.

Calvin Ayre's statement deserves to be reproduced in full. He said, "It is a disaster in Haiti. I know they have had a tough go from Mother Nature recently, hurricanes and now this earth quake, but I can not help but be disgusted with the ruling elite that has driven this country down. I want to challenge the rest of this industry to contribute to Oxfam to help out in Haiti and my private foundation will match any proven payment to Oxfam by an online gaming person up to $1,000,000."

iGaming Business (iGB), the largest media outlet for the online gaming industry, has accepted Ayre's challenge. In collaboration with Oxfam and using their widespread presence, iGaming Business has requested members of the industry to make their contributions through a specially designated gateway at the Oxfam web site so as to ensure transparency and accountability. This gateway will be live for the next 10 days.

The iGaming Business Affiliate Awards will be held at the Grange St Paul Hotel on January 28. The amount collected through this effort will be unveiled then. This amount and the matching contribution by Calvin Ayre will be handed over to Oxfam on the awards night. The awards will be streamed live so that every person who has contributed will see his or her generosity come to fruition.

Chris Ashworth, Corporate Partnership manager for Oxfam GB, has lauded the initiative taken by Calvin Ayre and iGaming Business and thanked the online gaming community for rising to the occasion. He outlined the immediate needs of the survivors of the Haiti earthquake. Access to safe water is number one item on the list followed by sanitation. Providing shelter for people who have lost their homes is another pressing need. Ashworth said, "As one of the world's foremost humanitarian relief organizations Oxfam's international network will continue to support the people of Haiti and work to rebuild their lives and livelihood for as long as it takes."

Companies and individuals who are contemplating making a donation should keep in mind that their contribution will automatically be doubled. Every contribution no matter how small will make a difference.

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