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It has been brought to our attention recently, that, even though in terms of sheer turnover, C4C’s ROBIN HOOD is probably our most prolific program – yet it is probably the most under-reported part of C4C’s work on this website. As of today – that is changing… :-)

C4C’s popular folk hero has recently been spotted around various parts of the country again; doing what he traditionally does best: caring for the underdogs and those who need a little assistance and help from a friend like him! In C4C’s case, these are children with a social handicap - kids less fortunate than our own.

So, for those of you not so savvy with C4C’s Robin Hood program and how it works (and willing to read on), here’s the gist of it in a nutshell:

The Robin Hood team partners & cooperates with multinational corporations and local businesses to assist cash-strapped local orphanages to create nurturing environments for their resident children - trying to make their lives more enjoyable and their surroundings more livable, improving their quality of life all around!

Since its inception in 1996, ROBIN HOOD has rendered and generated an incredible 800 million CZK (33 million USD) worth of direct aid to orphans and other socially marginalized children and the institutions they reside in. That’s almost half a billion CZK!!

The program paints with a broad brush and accepts in-kind donations from a variety of European donors and manufacturers. The only conditions: items must be new and usable in the context of the program’s goals.

The bulk of items received consist of new fashionable clothing, seasonal apparel and shoes from quality manufacturers in Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe.

“Fashionable, ‘cool’ apparel can do amazing things to children and young adults and their feeling of self-worth and their self-esteem - notably the lack of it”, says Jana Snoblova, C4C’s ROBIN HOOD program manager and team member for 12 years.

Jana manages C4C’s vast warehouse, receives shipments, sorts clothing by gender, season and sizes, manages the inventory, is responsible for relations with institutions with resident children, she sorts, packs, ships, drives and delivers  – if there ever was a female version of our popular hero, she’d be Robina Hoodova for sure… :-)

Brand name clothing from manufacturers like Marlboro Classics, H & M, Helly Hansen, just to name a few, help to put socially marginalized kids back on par with their school mates and contemporaries as far as appearance is concerned. And in today’s world, even youngsters put a premium on looking “just right” for the occassion. Hand-me-downs can really put a dampener on a young orphan’s spirit when trying to be accepted by his/her peers, who usually come to class clad in the latest styles and trends. Not to speak of mobile phones and electronic gadgets…

“The impact of the program can’t be underestimated, as it supplies literally thousands of children with new wardrobes and shoes, year-in and year-out!”, explains Jana. “It helps the management and staff of institutions to better budget their finances and allocate more resources toward education and free time activities of their resident children.”

Recently, C4C’s Robin Hood truck has been spotted around the Czech Republic in various places like Plzen, Brno and Pisek, bringing whole truckloads of seasonal, brand name clothing and other items to help orphans and socially challenged children look every bit as hip and cool as their “normal” peers.

Roaming around the country, our folk hero relies on trusted and faithful friends in order to realize his ambitious and far-reaching distribution agenda.  Friends like family Kopecky, owners of Strojservis, a Fiat and Iveco Truck dealership on the outskirts of Horni Pocernice, a suburb on the east side of Prague.

“When it comes to needing a truck for our dear Robin Hood and team, all it takes is usually one phone call to Karel Kopecky Jr. and the matter is solved”, explains Manfred Franke, C4C’s founder and director. Strojservis has been assisting and supporting C4C since its humble beginnings 15 years ago with complimentary truck rentals and recently also as partners in C4C’s Coins 4 Children initiative, raising funds for the organizations’ programs for children in need and at risk.

“Working together with Manfred and his team for so many years has been a fulfilling experience for our family and company alike”, says Karel Kopecky. “We feel that we are part of a truly meaningful endeavor, bringing much needed help and assistance to children not as fortunate as our own!”

And it is because of faithful and loyal partners like the Kopecky’s that C4C has endured and steadily extended its reach and scope - going onto 15 years now! Click here to see all of C4C’s partners, patrons, friends and supporters who make our work and possible and who have been “walking the walk” with us for many, many years.

A big thank you goes to all of them who are helping us to make a difference in the lives of thousands of needy kids.