The Entertainment Software Association’s (ESA) annual children’s charity dinner, “Nite to Unite for Kids,” which took place on October 13th in San Francisco, was this year able to raise a whopping $800 000 as a result of the sold-out dinner, auction and casino event.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to a selection of organisations that provide aid to children in need, including Web Wise Kids, Hope Lab, ThanksUSA and the One Economy Corporation.

ESA president and CEO Michael Gallagher praised attendees and members of the videogame industry for their support, noting that this latest fundraiser has brought the total amount donated to the ESA Foundation to an incredible $11 million.

During the “Nite to Unite for Kids” event, Ubisoft chairman and CEO Yves Guillemot was honoured as 2009’s ESA Champion, thanks to his forward-looking vision for computer and video games, and his tireless efforts to “translate that vision into reality.”

Guillemot joins the list of previous ESA Champions, and industry legends, George Lucas, Bing Gordon, Shigeru Miyamoto, Howard Lincoln, Isao Ogawa, and Ken Kutaragi.

Source: Gamasutra