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Flamingo Fundraiser:

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We are all familiar with the pink flamingo yard ornament. One of the prime examples of American cultural kitsch, this plastic bird with metal legs has for years marked its owners as well… interesting. I think there are probably two types of people in the world: those who take the flamingos seriously as quality yard art and those who wouldn’t be caught dead with even one adorning their lawn.

For the purposes of this fundraiser, we are banking on the hopes that there are more of those in the latter category.

The fundraiser begins with the formation of a team of people who love to have a good time and make a little harmless mischief. These folks all need to be available to convene and operate under the cover of darkness.

The premise is simple, yet ingenious. The group picks its first victim. Then one night, they sneak over to this house and place the flock prominently in the front yard. Around the neck of one of the flamingos, they place a “ransom” note that demands a donation for the removal of the birds. (Details of the ransom collection are left to the group.)

Some groups choose to set an amount, say $20, for removal. Others leave it open and let the family decide how much to pay. One group that chose to leave the amount open received a $200 donation, so this may be a good option for your school to think about.

Once the fee is paid, the “victim” family gets the opportunity to pick the next family who gets “flocked”. This process is repeated every night for a specified amount of time until the fundraiser is concluded. In order to keep the fundraiser moving, the flock shouldn’t stay in anyone’s yard for more than 24 hours, even if the family chooses not to pay the ransom. (Spoil sports…)

If your school thinks that your base is large enough, you can decide to purchase enough flamingos to operate two or more flocks at one time. Of course this will require more management, but it does potentially double your income (or more…).

At the fundraiser’s kick-off event or announcement, some organizations have elected to offer “flock insurance”. This certificate can be purchased for the amount you choose (roughly $10 to $20) and ensures that any of these families will not get flocked.

Please remember that you can add flare to any one of these steps by creating cute ransom notes, making up official looking flock insurance certificates, etc. One group actually made small wreaths to place around the flamingos’ necks, since their event coincided with Christmas. The more creative you get with this, the more fun your group will have.

Beside the revenue, the other by-product of this kind of fundraiser is fun. It’s a great way to get to know one another.


Flamingo Flocking Ransom Note
Please include note with each flocking.
Flamingo Flocking Ransom Note
Anti-Flocking Insurance Form
Each of your members will need several of these forms to sell supporters Anti-Flocking Insurance if they do not want to be personally “Flamingoed” also known as “Flocked”.

Anti-Flocking Insurance Form
Flocking a Friend Order Form
Another way to make money is to pre-order to have your friend's house flocked.

Each of your members will need several of these forms to get pre-orders from supporters to have their friends and relatives "Flamingoed" also known as "Flocked". 
Flocking a Friend Order Form
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