Over the holiday weekend, Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) rallied its player community and raised $25,000 to donate to the American Red Cross' aid efforts in Haiti in the wake of last week's tragedy.

"In just three days we were able to reach our goal of $25,000 and it's all because of the generosity of our players," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "They really stepped up for a good cause and we're proud to lend support to the estimated 3 million Haitians affected by the recent earthquakes."

SOE supported emergency relief efforts to help those affected by the Haiti earthquake by donating $10 for every Haiti Relief item purchased in EverQuest (EQ), EverQuest II (EQII) and Free Realms to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development fund. Haiti Relief items included the Haiti Relief Plush Bear in EQ, the Protectors of the Faydark Crate in EQII and Zando, the spiked T-Rex pet, in Free Realms. Items were available from January 15-18 in the in-game Marketplace for 500 Station Cash (SC), SOE's in-game currency. Assistance provided by the American Red Cross may include sending relief supplies, mobilizing relief workers and providing financial resources.

Raising funds for the American Red Cross is the second charity project of 2010 for SOE, which just finished up a month-long drive for Child's Play, a charity dedicated to providing children with toys and age-appropriate games at more than 70 hospitals worldwide. Due to the kindness of its player community, SOE was able to donate $26,900.