18.09.2012
Student Power in Support of C4C on the Streets of Major Czech Cities!
If you’ve been approached by a smiling student or young person recently, informing you that by purchasing an attractive or useful small item you can support C4C’s projects for socially disadvantaged and hospitalized children – rest assured it’s genuine and not a hoax! It’s all part of C4C’s “Coins 4 Children” drive around the country to raise much needed funds for C4C’s popular programs for children in need – “Robin Hood”, “Springboard to Life” and “Dr. Clown”!
“In spite of the ongoing economic uncertainty in Europe and elsewhere, or perhaps even because of it, C4C recently has had an steady increase in the scope of its activities – in the Czech Republic and several other Central European countries we are currently active in”, reflects Manfred Franke, C4C’s founder and chairman. “We’ve had to start thinking a bit out of the box to meet the growing demand and the subsequent increases in funding for our programs, especially for our very popular educational initiative ‘Springboard to Life’, helping institutionalized children integrate successfully into society.”
When offered the opportunity by several promotional firms to be the recipient of some of the proceeds of street marketing and sales for charity, C4C jumped at the opportunity to be able to expand the scope of its outreach through the extra revenue created. The success has been phenomenal. At the time of this writing more than 1 ½ million CZK have been added to C4C coffers through contributions from street marketing!
“The single most daunting challenge for most of us in the so-called third sector of society, the non-profit sector, is the sometimes grueling task of raising the necessary funds for our so desperately needed programs”, Manfred continues. “We’re happy that the reaction of the public to the Coins 4 Children drive so far has been extremely positive.”
The good will created, according to the C4C team, is the result of the students and young folks selling the items being very amicable and friendly and going to great length not to appear pushy or to antagonize those they approach. “I didn’t mind being approached at all…”, says Sarka, who recently called the C4C switchboard to verify the validity of the drive, “…the students were very cheerful and sweet. The net profits of this going into charity almost sounded too good to be true.”
“We have been asked if this fundraising drive is part of a public collection”, comments Alena Zdvihalova, C4C’s PR & Marketing department head, “and the simple answer is – No! At present, several private firms simply dedicated the lion’s share of their profits toward C4C as a donation to C4C’s efforts with children at risk and in need.”
So, if you meet some of these hard working folks out there, please be supportive and keep in mind that the job these young people are doing comes with a considerable portion of sacrifice, especially with the cold season of the year just around the corner.
The good news is that the next trinket offered will be re-usable heat-packs and hand warmers… (smile)
Thank you so much for helping us in our efforts to sufficiently fund our programs for socially marginalized and ill children.
