"Flamingo Flocking"

Plastic flamingos to flock to Nacogdoches, SFA

Photo from http://www2.tbo.com.

NACOGDOCHES, TX – Feb. 6, 2013 –

Throughout the next several weeks the SFA Student United Way will be holding a “Flamingo Flocking” fundraiser.

The idea is simple, yet incredibly fun: for a donation of $10, a flock of plastic or paper flamingos will “migrate” to the “victim” of your choice’s lawn or residence hall door during the night, where they will “roost” for the whole day. They will then migrate to the next location the following night.

Flamingo Flocking is a fundraising tactic that is catching on with churches, organizations and non-profits across the country. The SFAUW philanthropy chair, Danielle Waite, is the one who brought the idea up to the organization.

“Danielle really stepped up to the plate on this one,” SFAUW president Raquel Madkins said. “Every officer was asked to come up with a unique and catchy fundraising event, and she did just that.”

While people might expect that only individuals with yards can become “victims” of flamingo flocking, SFAUW has added a bit of a twist to include on-campus residents and students who live in apartments.

“We are working on getting paper flamingos to hang on on-campus resident’s doors now,” Madkins said. “This event is for everyone! We want to make sure no one is left out of the fun.”

Madkins said she thinks the Nacogdoches and SFA communities will love this unique fundraiser.

“It is a way for Nacogdoches’ close-knit community to become even closer through a harmless prank. It is sure to cause a chain reaction of flocking.”

“We have already begun taking ‘victim’ orders. As of now, the event will go on throughout the months of February and March. If we continue to get orders we will extend the date as needed,” Madkins said.

The event is already receiving some buzz on the Nacogdoches County United Way Facebook page. To help promote this event, NCUW is raffling off a free “flamingo flocking” to anyone who likes the NCUW page (www.facebook.com/unitedwaynac) and then shares the photo of the flier on their timeline.

“We are excited about the flamingo flocking event, as well as the students themselves. SFAUW has become a recognized student organization, not only at SFA, but also by United Way Worldwide and United Ways across the country. These young leaders are making an impact in our community by working hard to help people in need, both young and old alike,” Gary Lee Ashcraft, NCUW president and CEO.

To order a flamingo flocking for someone, or if you have any questions, email flamingoflocknac@yahoo.com.

SFAUW became a student organization in 2011, and has grown to have a roster of over 40 active members. Members of SFAUW work with local United Way agencies and other non-profits, as well as other student organizations, to serve the Nacogdoches and SFA communities. The organization’s goals are to help members and other students grow as leaders and connect to the community and to build lasting relationships amongst members and with the United Way movement. 

For more information about SFAUW, follow them on Twitter, @SFAUnitedWay, or “Like” their Facebook page, SFA Student United Way.

For more information on how to give, advocate or volunteer with Nacogdoches County United Way, or how to receive help if you are in need, please visit www.unitedwaynac.com or call (936) 564-5869.