Feed aggregator

The flamingo flocks are part of a fundraiser by Congregation Kol Ami, the conservative synagogue in North Tampa.TAMPA, Fla. / In parts of the Greater Tampa area, it's not uncommon to see peacocks on front lawns. Or even deer or alligators for that matter. But flamingos?

Flocks of pink flamingos are beginning to pop up across the Tampa Bay area.

It's part of a unique fundraiser by Congregation Kol Ami, the Carrollwood conservative synagogue, and involves fake flamingos.

"We could just ask for money but we wanted to do something creative and fun that's also a fundraiser," says Samantha Wallace, chair of the fundraising committee at Kol Ami. The committee came up with the idea as a way to involve the community.

"I truly laughed out loud when I saw them on my front lawn. I heard commotion, went outside and discovered the flamingos," says Denise Freedman, president of Kol Ami, who overnight became a participant. "It brought a smile to my face and I can truly say it felt great to be flocked."

Flamingo Flocking: How it Works

It runs $36 to "flock" someone in Hillsborough, Pinellas or Pasco, which involves contacting Kol Ami and sending a group of pink flamingos to someone's lawn.

Once flocked, recipients can make a suggested donation of $18 to have the birds removed, send them to another house or elect to keep them on their lawn, until they migrate on their own in 48 hours.

"We won't force someone to make a donation to remove the birds if for some reason they can't do so," says Freedman. "It's great if they do. But if they don't the flamingos will be removed in 48 hours."

A flier explaining the flocking process is left at each house with the flamingos.

Congregants who want to prevent being flocked, can buy flocking insurance for $50, which will keep the birds away. Period. Because, you guessed it, you can be flocked more than one time.

"The program just started and we've raised more than $1,000," says Freedman. "The best fundraisers are the ones that don't feel like fundraisers."

Flocking privileges are open to anyone. Please visit www.kolami.org.

About Kol Ami: Congregation Kol Ami is an egalitarian Conservative congregation that is highly participatory and energetic. Emphasis is placed on education, fostering Jewish values and ideals and encouraging congregants to grow in the Jewish tradition. Our mission is to advance and promote the ideals, values and practices of Conservative Judaism. As individuals and as a congregation, we are on a ladder, trying to move upward one step at a time.

Contact:
Congregation Kol Ami
Email: execdirector@kolami.org
Phone: (813) 962-6338
Web site: www.kolami.org