Robin Hood Offers Shoppers the Chance to Give Back When They Give This Holiday Season

New York's Largest Poverty-Fighting Charity Partners with vineyard vines® and glassybaby for Robin Hood Gifts

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This holiday, Robin Hood offers everyone the chance to help the 1.8 million New Yorkers who are currently living in poverty.  Through the purchase of Robin Hood-themed ties and canvas tote bags from vineyard vines and Robin Hood votives from glassybaby, people can show their support by helping those who need it most.  A donation from each purchase will support the nearly 200 programs and services funded by Robin Hood that are dedicated to fighting poverty.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111109/DC03694-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111109/DC03694-b)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111109/DC03694-c)

vineyard vines, the Connecticut-based clothing company founded in Martha's Vineyard in 1998, features a complete collection of men's, women's and children's clothing and accessories made to take you from the beach to the boardroom.  Starting today, 100% of the proceeds from sales of vineyard vines' limited-edition Robin Hood silk neckties and canvas totes will be used to combat homelessness, improve education, aid troubled veterans and improve the lives of families in need.

"Here at vineyard vines we are fully committed to everything we do, whether it's making ties or making a difference," said Lindsey Worster, vice president of brand communications.  "We are thrilled to partner with Robin Hood and proud to be a part of the fight against poverty in New York City, especially during the holiday season. In the true spirit of giving, we will be donating 100% of the proceeds from our custom Robin Hood products directly to Robin Hood's programs which help New Yorkers get back on their feet."

Founded in Seattle, and with a new store in New York City's West Village, glassybaby designs and creates hand-made glasses, vases and votive candles in a rainbow of colors that are individual works of art.  Since its founding in 2001, glassybaby has donated more than $625,000 from sales to charities  dedicated to health, healing and quality of life, thereby helping to provide a safety net to those in need. Starting today, 10% from the sales of each glassybaby emerald green robin hood votive will go to support Robin Hood in its mission of improving the lives of low-income New Yorkers.

"From the beginning, glassybaby has been giving back money from sales to help people in need," said founder Lee Rhodes.  "Since we opened our New York shop, we've wanted to find a way to spread kindness in that community, and we are proud to partner with Robin Hood to fight poverty."

"These companies are demonstrating their commitment to helping their neighbors, and that's what the holidays are all about," said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood.  "All of us at Robin Hood are thrilled to work with them, and we thank them for their support of New York."

The Robin Hood necktie and canvas bag can be purchased online at vineyardvines.com as part of their "Tied to the Cause" campaign.

The robin hood glassybaby votive can be purchased at any three glassybaby Seattle-area stores, at their latest New York City store at 555 Hudson Street in the West Village, or at glassybaby.com with free online shipping.                        

About Robin Hood

For more than 20 years, Robin Hood has fought poverty in New York City. It finds, funds and partners with programs that have proven to be an effective remedy to poverty and is a consistent force for good in the lives of New Yorkers in need. Robin Hood employs a rigorous system of metrics and third-party evaluation to ensure accountability from organizations that receive its funds.  The board pays all administrative and fundraising costs, so 100% of donations go directly to helping New Yorkers in need.  It works closely with groups that receive grants to make them more effective, enabling them to assist even more people.  In 2010, Robin Hood invested over $132 million in more than 200 programs and schools, directly touching the lives of over 650,000 New Yorkers.

About glassybaby

glassybaby are handmade votives created by Seattle artists. The company was founded by a three-time cancer survivor who found great hope and healing in the light of a handmade votive.  She wanted to spread that hope.  glassybaby has donated more than $600,000 from sales to charities dedicated to helping cancer patients, healing and quality of life.  The votives are created by Seattle artists in more than 400+ colors with unique names like hope, joy, wet dog, frog hunting and forever. Their warm, colored light flickers like we do in everyday life.

About vineyard vines

vineyard vines, a company best known for its whimsical neckties and smiling pink whale logo, was founded in 1998 on Martha's Vineyard when brothers Shep and Ian Murray cut their ties with corporate America to start making ties that represented The Good Life. In addition to signature neckwear, vineyard vines offers a variety of clothing and accessories for men, women and children. Products are sold in over 600 specialty and department stores worldwide, through a seasonal catalog at 1.800.892.4982, online at vineyardvines.com and currently at seventeen free-standing stores in Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Edgartown, MA; Greenwich, CT; Mashpee, MA; McLean, VA; Memphis, TN; Nantucket, MA; Nashville, TN; Newport Beach, CA; Oak Bluffs, MA; Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Short Hills, NJ; Southampton, NY; The Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL; Washington, DC; and Westport, CT.

SOURCE Robin Hood