In 2008, a Las Vegas gambler came up with a grand plan: use his special skills at the gaming tables to assist families in need. He then set up a Web site and chose two families to assist. Robin Hood 702 (“Robin Hood,” as in taking from the rich casinos and giving to the poor; “702” for the Vegas area code) flew the two families to Vegas in October 2008 and sent them home with more than $20,000 each. 
Now, Robin Hood 702 wants to give to the captain and crew of the Maersk Alabama. The Maersk Alabama encountered Somalia pirates just a week ago and Captain Phillips was taken hostage in the Maresk’s emergency launch.
RH702 has offered to bring Captain Phillips, the 19 member crew of the Maersk and each of their significant others for a weekend in Las Vegas. He’ll pick up the airfare, the hotel room and the cost of all meals.
“It really touched my heart that someone would sacrifice their own life … for pirates to take him and spare his crew,” Robin Hood 702 said. “It touched my heart…I decided even though Robin Hood 702 is about helping people in financial crisis, I wanted to do something special for these people too.”
Robin Hood 702 hides his good deeds behind the cover of a secret identify in order to keep the focus on the deed and not on himself. This isn’t a celebrity stirring up publicity. And locals who know the true identify of RH702 can’t say enough about him.
Barry Dakake, executive chef at the 9 Steak House in the Palms Hotel and Casino, said “… this is what kind of person this guy is. This is coming from him. This ain’t coming from no organization, this is him. Robin Hood is putting this together himself and it’s very unique, very special.”
But RH702 believes it is Captain Phillips and his crew who are special: “…I want to recognize them as heroes.”
Captain Phillips may be reunited with his family today.
Welcome to Vegas, Maersk Alabama! Courtesy of the one, the only. . . Robin Hood 702 (please click on link).
Vegas Backstage Access (VBA) 