Flight of the Flamingos

As an observant traveler, I see A LOT. I notice trees that have fallen, water levels that have risen and cows that are no longer in fields. That’s what happens when you spend a lot of time in one place, especially the place of your birth. So, when the scenery changes dramatically, I am the first to make deductions. For instance, the morning after Thanksgiving, while still battling a slight pie coma, I headed north to go for a hike and get some fresh air.

That’s when I saw them; an entire flock of pink, plastic flamingos jutting out against the gray November landscape, impossible to miss. Of course, I laughed, out loud, assuming that their presence was some kind of revolt by the owner of the Route 7 Grill in response to having a cow on his front lawn. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone has responded to a neighbor’s complaint with even more absurd yard toys.

So, I went about my day, giggling and admiring the pink debacle lining our main road.

A few days later the flamingos were gone. I was saddened to think that the local police had removed the impressive flock. But just a few yards up the road, there they were!  All bunched up in front the tire place. I was relieved. So they hadn’t been removed, just moved.

My curiosity was piqued.

And as fate would have it, I received an email that night which unveiled the mystery of the pink flamingos.

The flock, which is roughly 125 birds strong, began its migration in 2005 as a fundraiser for the Community Health Program. That “flocking” as it is known, raised $8,000 for CHP so they thought they’d try it again this year, according to program and community events coordinator Kate Feuer.

“The CHP Health Center just moved into its brand new, state of the art space, and so we thought it would be a great way to gain a little publicity,” she said. “We are also trying to raise money for our programs…the money we raise is going to support general operating funds here at CHP.”

The “flocking” is pretty simple. Feuer and other volunteers “flock” in the middle of the night; usually it’s a business that gets flocked. The “flockee” has to make a donation in order to send the flamingos on their way. Once that happens, they can also choose who will be the next lucky “flockee.” Apparently the flocking will continue until the ground is too hard to secure the birds. Then, the hope is that the snow will continue to support their ingenious philanthropy.

And, as always in the Berkshires, it’s all for a good cause. I was one of the “original kids” of CHP (back then it was known as the Children’s Health Program), and I’m convinced that my health and the health of my siblings (not to mention my mother’s peace of mind) hinged on their availability and kindness to our young family. Now in its 35th year, the program reaches at least 5,000 people every year, in an area long recognized by the federal government as a “Medically Underserved Population Area.”

So, if you see a bright flock of flamingos in your travels don’t shake your head and tsk. They have a purpose.

And who wouldn’t smile broadly at such a sight in the dead of a New England winter.

For more information on CHP programs and services visit www.communityhealthprograms.org.