Pokémon Go for a Good Cause

Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm and even if you didn't know about Pokemon before, you can be sure you will soon be running into someone playing Pokemon Go or a business looking to benefit from the number of players wandering about. One of the more interesting things to come out from Pokemon Go are the actual benefits that come from the game. With literally thousands of people playing the game, some people have found ways to use the excitement and energy as a force for good.

 

(Picture courtesy of Muncie Animal Shelter)

Muncie Animal Shelter in Indiana for example has encouraged people to take shelter animals out for walks as their human partners hunt down virtual pets. Not only was this good exercise for the human and animal, in a few instances it even led to the adoption of an animal that would never have found a home. The program has generated great media coverage for the shelter.

 

 The other cool thing to come out of people running around looking for Pokemon is that people can also simultaneously run around donating to charity. One of my favorite charity apps is Charity Miles. Charity Miles teams up with sponsors to donate money to a non-profit organization of your choice just for walking or running around. So far I have contributed miles and money to the American Diabetes Association and The Nature Conservancy. To date, thousands of dollars have been donated to good causes, but imagine what it can be if all the Pokemon Go players joined in on the action. I like this app because it is simple to use, it gives to a good cause, and it requires no sign up.

Who would have known that Pokemon would have such great benefits. It is amazing what is possible when people are energized and excited, even if it is to hunt down virtual reality creatures.