GRAPEVINE, Texas, May 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GameStop, a family of specialty retail brands that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple, announced today that it collected nearly $1.2 million as part of its World Autism Month in-store donation campaign. In its second year supporting autism awareness, GameStop, along with its Spring Mobile AT&T, Simply Mac, Think Geek, Kongregate and Game Informer brands, invited customers and associates to donate to this important cause through an in-store and online donation campaign. All donations received directly benefit Autism Speaks.

“Our guests and associates never cease to amaze us with their passion and generosity for helping raise understanding and acceptance of people with autism,” said Matt Hodges, vice president of corporate communications for GameStop. “We were touched by the numerous stories of our guests who made donations in honor of a family member or friend impacted by autism. Plus, we were inspired to see our store associates from California to New Jersey going the extra mile in providing inclusive gaming days and special needs fairs for families impacted by autism locally.”

Some GameStop associates experience autism first hand. Christopher Hutton, GameStop district leader in Dallas-Fort Worth area, has worked for GameStop for more than seven years and is personally impacted by Asperger’s, a high functioning form of autism. He believes that a little education and communication can go a long way in increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism.

“Early on I decided to be frank with my colleagues about how Asperger’s affects me. When you’re straightforward about who you are, there are a lot of ‘aha’ moments for others,” said Hutton. “I also help my staff learn to interact with our customers who have autism. Interacting with them is a huge deal to them. I see their patience level go up when they realize that the customer is really happy to be here. The moment you start to identify with someone, you uncover things that can help you with your personal growth. You never know what you’ll say to someone that will change your perspective, or inspire them.”

A portion of the donations raised through the GameStop campaign will help fund Autism Speaks’ specially trained Autism Response Team, which provides information, tools and resources to help people with autism and their families make informed decisions.

In addition, the money raised will fund Autism Speaks’ science programs that are advancing innovative research into causes and better treatments for autism and its related conditions.

“What an amazing example GameStop and its customers have set by raising more than $2.4 million in the last two years. With their donations, GameStop and its customers are helping to enhance lives across the autism spectrum,” said Angela Geiger, Autism Speaks president and CEO. “We’re thrilled that this donation can help us reach even more individuals and families who are affected by autism.”

ABOUT AUTISM
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. An estimated 1 in 68 children is on the autism spectrum.

ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. We empower people with autism and their families with resources, online tools and information covering the life span. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.

ABOUT GAMESTOP CORP.
GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Grapevine, Texas, is a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. GameStop operates more than 7,500 stores across 14 countries. The company's consumer product network also includes www.gamestop.com; www.Kongregate.com, a leading browser-based game site; Game Informer® magazine, the world's leading print and digital video game publication; and ThinkGeek, www.thinkgeek.com, the premier retailer for the global geek community featuring exclusive and unique video game and pop culture products. Our Technology Brands segment includes 1,522 Simply Mac, Spring Mobile AT&T and Cricket stores. Simply Mac, www.simplymac.com, sells the full line of Apple products, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones and offers Apple certified warranty and repair services. Spring Mobile, www.springmobile.com, sells all of AT&T’s products and services, including DIRECTV and offers pre-paid wireless services, devices and related accessories through its Cricket branded stores in select markets in the U.S. General information about GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company's corporate website. Follow @GameStop and @GameStopCorp. on Twitter and find GameStop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GameStop.

Media Contacts:
Autism Speaks
CJ Volpe
(646) 385-8532
CJ.Volpe@autismspeaks.org

GameStop Corp.
Martha Sotelo
(817) 424-2099
MarthaSotelo@gamestop.com