call-of-duty-endowment posts

A few days before the game itself ships to stores on November 9, publisher Activision will be holding a big Hollywood movie-style launch party on Thursday in Santa Monica, California for Call of Duty Black Ops. The first person shooter from developer Treyarch will be celebrated at the city's airport in one of its hangers (the location, by the way, of the main exhibit hall for E3 2007 during one of its two "invite only years".

The event won't be just about the game's launch (which will include performances by Metallica). It will also raise $1 million for The Call of Duty Endowment, Activision's non-profit organization that helps US military veterans with finding new jobs.

Tomorrow publisher Activision is supposed to officially launch Modern Warfare 2 (although as we have reported some stores have gone ahead and broken the street date for the game). This Wednesday, the US also celebrates the Veteran's Day holiday. Today the Washington Post reports that Activision is using both occasions to launch the Call of Duty Endowment, a foundation designed to help US veterans find work after their military service is over

According to the article, US veterans have a much higher rate of unemployment than civilians. The money from the foundation will be used to help fund programs that are in place to help veterans find jobs. The first $125,000 will be used to help fund a vocational rehabilitation center via the Paralyzed Veterans of America.