Contact: Margaret Muskopf
Phone: (314) 961-1948
E-mail: press@givinggame.com

For immediate release.

KINDNESS HAPPENS VIA THE GIVING GAME

"The concept is amazingly simple," explains the Giving Game’s founder, Brien Moakley. "Each of us has a natural propensity to imagine, to act, to receive and to give. The Giving Game helps foster more kindness in the world. Watching it grow is fun, fascinating, and fulfilling."

URL: http://www.GivingGame.com

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, USA -- (October 14, 2003)

HGL, Inc. (Passport to Wellness) announces the launch of GivingGame.com, a fun, free, and innovative way to spread kind acts and track their positive chain reaction via the Web site.

“The original, card only, version of the Giving Game was released in December of 2001. The idea stemmed from two things: a desire to move beyond the events of September 11 in a positive way and the powerful message of kindness and it’s ripple effects as illustrated in Catherine Ryan Hyde’s book, Pay It Forward”, says Moakley.

To play, all a person needs is a game card and an imagination. The brightly colored game cards can easily be printed and registered at givinggame.com. Players must then do a kind act for someone else and leave the card behind. Kind acts can either be done secretly or known by the person. Since each card has a unique number and instructions on the back, kind act receivers can quickly perform a kind act of their own. The Web site makes it easy to track the card’s journey as it travels from person to person.

Both individuals and groups can view game stats, read and post journal entries, and follow the cards as they traverse cities, states and even countries. Once released, cards have the potential to touch many lives and create lots of smiles for years to come.

There are many ways to play the Giving Game. Some play anonymously, secretly plotting kind acts with complex schemes to avoid being found out. Others do a combination of secret and known acts. Classrooms and youth groups find this a useful tool to integrate into service projects. Kind acts don’t need to be complex. It can be as simple as leaving a candy bar on a classmate’s desk, raking your neighbor’s yard or donating to charity in someone else’s name. The possibilities are limitless…just get some cards, let your imagination take over, and have fun.

“Looking for an interesting experiment to perform on a group? Get a few people together and start playing the Giving Game, anonymously. Things just start showing up on people’s desks, in the mail and via deliveries. People are wondering what’s going on, who’s involved, and who’s going to get it next -- all the while having a good time with it. This is real entertainment and rewarding to see unfold,” exclaims Moakley.

The Giving Game connects and transforms people through a common bond of kindness. The spirit of the game is within you and playing the game brings it out. As more and more people play, the game may become a form of spiritual currency bringing a wealth of smiles, good feelings and joy to all.
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For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.GivingGame.com or contact us directly at (314) 961-1948.