Video game giant Acitvision Blizzard and CEO Bobby Kotick announced in 2009 the beginning of a non-profit foundation called the Call of Duty Endowment, or CODE. The purpose of the foundation is to aid veterans in their search for jobs after military service. With soaring unemployment rates for returning veterans, Bobby Kotick knew he had a tremendous opportunity to give back to the men and women who risk their lives to protect American ideals.
Kotick's company Activision Blizzard is responsible for enormously successful video game series such as Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk, and the inspiration for the foundation, the Call of Duty series. Activision's Call of Duty titles have broken numerous entertainment records for sales and each installment seems to break the record set by the previous one. Currently, Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best-selling game of all time and its release helped raise funds for the Call of Duty Endowment.
In November of 2010, Bobby Kotick and Activision Blizzard held a multiplayer tournament for U.S. Army veterans, making them some of the first people to play Call of Duty: Black Ops. The tournament took place in Santa Monica at the launch party for the game. Proceeds from the launch party and veterans tournament raised $1 million for the Call of Duty Endowment. In addition to the $1 million pledge, Bobby Kotick promised to find 1,000 jobs for returning veterans to aid in their transition back to civilian life.
The Call of Duty Endowment helps veterans by funding programs throughout the country that provide job training and job placement services to veterans. These programs provide assistance to returning veterans of all six branches of the U.S. military. Kotick explains that in addition to providing job assistance, the Call of Duty Endowment aims to raise awareness about the dire employment situation for returning veterans.
In an Acitvision press release, Bobby Kotick explained the need for the foundation:
"Call of Duty is one of the biggest of all entertainment franchises that uniquely pays tribute to the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who defend our nation and our freedom around the world. It is especially popular among service members at home and abroad, which is why we are honored to have this event highlight the critical issue of veterans unemployment and make our own contributions to the cause. A few years ago, after hearing about the magnitude of this problem, I established The Call of Duty Endowment with the goal of securing thousands of jobs for the men and women who have so ably served our country and protected our freedom."
Kotick's company Activision Blizzard is responsible for enormously successful video game series such as Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk, and the inspiration for the foundation, the Call of Duty series. Activision's Call of Duty titles have broken numerous entertainment records for sales and each installment seems to break the record set by the previous one. Currently, Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best-selling game of all time and its release helped raise funds for the Call of Duty Endowment.
In November of 2010, Bobby Kotick and Activision Blizzard held a multiplayer tournament for U.S. Army veterans, making them some of the first people to play Call of Duty: Black Ops. The tournament took place in Santa Monica at the launch party for the game. Proceeds from the launch party and veterans tournament raised $1 million for the Call of Duty Endowment. In addition to the $1 million pledge, Bobby Kotick promised to find 1,000 jobs for returning veterans to aid in their transition back to civilian life.
The Call of Duty Endowment helps veterans by funding programs throughout the country that provide job training and job placement services to veterans. These programs provide assistance to returning veterans of all six branches of the U.S. military. Kotick explains that in addition to providing job assistance, the Call of Duty Endowment aims to raise awareness about the dire employment situation for returning veterans.
In an Acitvision press release, Bobby Kotick explained the need for the foundation:
"Call of Duty is one of the biggest of all entertainment franchises that uniquely pays tribute to the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who defend our nation and our freedom around the world. It is especially popular among service members at home and abroad, which is why we are honored to have this event highlight the critical issue of veterans unemployment and make our own contributions to the cause. A few years ago, after hearing about the magnitude of this problem, I established The Call of Duty Endowment with the goal of securing thousands of jobs for the men and women who have so ably served our country and protected our freedom."
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