Community flocks to Tampa synagogue’s fund-raising project

Plastic flamingos land in a Tampa yard as part Congregation Kol Ami’s fundraiser. Flocks of flamingos are roosting on lawns in Tampa, but instead of having the pink-feathered kind, they are the plastic lawn ornament kind that many Floridians love to hate.

And the plan is for them to keep cropping up until Congregation Kol Ami raises $10,000.

Kol Ami’s Fundraising Chair Samantha Wallace said the congregation got the idea from United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism), which put it on its list of “10 ways to raise $10,000.”

The flamingo flocking fundraiser has been around for several years, cropping up across the country at religious organizations of diverse denominations, schools and other non-profits.

Launched July 10 at Kol Ami, the fundraiser garnered $1,600 the first month, and is ongoing.

The money raised, though, isn’t necessarily due to flamingoes flocking on a lawn. In some cases, it is because they are not.

Pink plastic flamingos, native to Florida, are regaining popularity around Tampa thanks to a new fund-raising idea. For a suggested donation of $36, a person or family can have someone’s front yard, to put it kindly, decorated, in flamingo lawn ornaments. The victims then have to wait 48 hours for the flamingos to be removed unless they give a suggested $18 donation for a more timely flamingo take-off.

According to Wallace, the pricing was chosen so that it would be affordable for everyone to donate and participate in the fun.

“That’s why we made it 18 (dollars) because those people didn’t choose to pay, so we wanted to make it so that way people would still consider donating that suggested donation even though it was kind of put upon them by somebody else,” said Wallace.

For thos e who don’t want to be flocked, there is a flocking insurance available for $50, which Wallace says has been a popular purchase. Even with the insurance though, a family can never be too sure about their safety from plastic flamingos overtaking the lawn.

“We had people find out that people had flocking insurance and offer to pay more to revoke their policy,” Wallace said.

The synagogue does, however, honor the insurance and will contact the family who has a flocking hit out on them to ask permission. Wallace said some people simply just don’t want to be flocked, and others will suggest using the money to flock a different household.

Once flocked, the victims will find a sign, along with the flamingos, that reads “You’ve Been Flocked.” There is also an information tube that includes an enveloped informing the flocked victims who had arranged such a heinous crime. Inside the envelope is a flyer from the synagogue and an order form so the flocking can continue.

Lynn Chernin, Kol Ami’s Vice President of Education and Youth, is making the most out of the fundraiser. After being flocked, she perpetuated the flocking to 14 other friends and family.

“I think it’s great,” said Chernin regarding the fundraiser. “It’s a lot of fun and it’s an idea outside of the box.”

Wallace said that most everyone on Kol Ami’s board has been flocked, as well as Rabbi Robert Judd and Hazzan Jodi Sered-Lever.

“As far as congregational involvement and the potential for people to be involved, I think that this is definitely one of the best [fundraisers Kol Ami has done],” Wallace said. “As long as people are flocking, we’re gonna keep doing it.”

Least any non-Kol Ami members think they’re safe from the birds, Kol Ami has thrown the flocking open to the community.

Call (813) 962-6338 or visit kolami.org for more information.