Have you been 'flocked'? Red Cross uses Flamingo Flocking to raise money

By Timberly Ferree A FUNDRAISER: The American Red Cross has once again kicked off its Flamingo Flocking fundraiser by placing several of the birds on the lawn of Linton's City Hall. Pictured are (from left) Linton Mayor Tom Jones, Fran Abbott secretary to the mayor, Linton City Council Member Charlie Cox -- who also serves as the director of the Greene County Unit of the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Marsha Cline, volunteer for the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross has once again kicked off its Flamingo Flocking fundraiser by placing several of the birds on the lawn of Linton's City Hall.

"In Greene County the Flamingo Flocking is a major fundraiser for us as we started last year and made about $6,000," said Charlie Cox.

Cox serves as director of the Greene County Unit of the Wabash Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.

For a $10 donation to the Red Cross, someone can have 10 pink flamingos "mysteriously" placed in another person's yard.

"The money we raise here we're going to use here in Greene County assisting fire, flood or tornado victims," Cox said.

Once someone has been flamingo flocked, they're encouraged to flock someone else.

"Information will be left around the neck of one bird that tells you how to flock somebody else," he added. "That's how it perpetuates. If you've been flocked hopefully you'll flock on. It's lots of fun."

Cox said the Greene County American Red Cross Chapter responds to personnel disasters such as house fires, floods, and tornadoes.

Recently, the Red Cross assisted tornado victims in Bloomfield and set up a shelter in Lyons for those displaced by flood waters.

"The American Red Cross provides immediate assistance depending on the family's needs. We visit with the family and see whether they've lost all possessions ... based on the information we can provide short-term shelter, money for clothing, food and medicines for life-threatening viruses," he added.