With social distancing keeping families and friends apart, Northeast Opportunities for Wellness, Inc. (NOW) has decided to call our flock of lawn flamingos out of retirement in order to inspire smiles and raise funds for NOW youth scholarships, outreach programs and wellness clinics.

The program – affectionately called “Flock-A-Friend” – invites individuals to make a donation to NOW and in return the organization will send a flock of friendly flamingos to the yard of a friend or loved one. The flamingos will stay for a short visit before moving on to a new location. The size of the flock varies, with options to send 15 flamingos for a donation of $50, 30 flamingos for a donation of $75, or 45 flamingos for a donation of $100. To ensure safe social distancing and sanitation, a NOW staff member will handle the setup and breakdown of the flock, with no other contact.

The previous “Flock-A-Friend” campaign launched in the spring of 2014, after NOW had received a donation of 50 lawn flamingos from Charlie Pious, President of Nutmeg Container. The flamingos had a successful stay in various yards of community members and businesses throughout May and June before retiring. NOW Executive Director Sarah Wolfburg shared her thoughts on bringing the “Flock-A-Friend” program back, “These past several weeks have been challenging for our community, with many people home and away from family, colleagues, teachers, and friends. Our hope is that the flock of flamingos, with their silly and bright appearance, will help spread some cheer and smiles as we continue to social distance.”

By donating to NOW, the campaign will also help bring smiles to lots of kids in the future, with funds to support youth sports scholarships, fitness, nutrition and whole-body wellness and free sports clinics when life returns to normal. NOW is a non-profit human services organization focused on youth wellness. NOW provides children with the opportunity to participate in area wellness activities and athletics programs, offering scholarships to the youth of the community with up to 95% of the cost being subsidized by NOW. The mission of the organization is to provide ALL children, regardless of financial resources, equal opportunities to achieve & maintain youth wellness, beginning at an early age.

The process is easy to help migrate a friendly flock of flamingos to the front lawn of loved ones. Simply visit the NOW website, www.nowinmotion.org and complete the flocking form – as soon as the flock is free, they’ll fly right on over!