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Community Corner

Geneva Neighborhood's Holiday Flamingos Benefit Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts

Flamingos are "on the loose" in Geneva and hiding in the neighborhood roughly bordered by Cheever Avenue to the north, Dunstan Road to the west, Fargo Boulevard to the South and Route 31 to the east.

In a quiet Geneva neighborhood around Meadows Road, a flock of holiday flamingos has returned to assist this year’s charity: the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org), benefitting Hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

With the stated mission of "having fun and spreading joy from our neighborhood to yours," Project Holiday Flamingo was launched last year to demonstrate the spirit of the season in a light-hearted way.

Neighbors in a four-block area joined forces for the month of December to hide flamingos and hopefully draw attention to a not-for-profit organization.
In 2011, Geneva Flamingos assisted with collecting books for U.S. service men and women overseas. The campaign was very successful, with more than 1,252 paperback books received and shipped to military locations via Soldier’s Angels charity (www.soldierangels.org).

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How does it work?

The neighborhood provides a family friendly flamingo hunt for the community to enjoy. Displayed at 733 Meadows Road is the project count board identifying the number of flamingos "on the loose" and hiding in the neighborhood roughly bordered by Cheever Avenue to the north, Dunstan Road to the west, Fargo Boulevard to the South and Route 31 to the east.

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As of last week, the count stood at 46 and growing! It is up to individuals (hopefully helped by their excited children) to drive through the neighborhood and spot the flamingos hiding among the holiday lights—a real-life "Where's Waldo" for the season.

"We hope that during, the drive families discuss the importance of helping others and choose to support the campaign," organizers said in a press release.

This year, patrons are asked to consider making a donation online to www.redcross.org or text REDCROSS to 90999 for a $10 donation. There are many families out East that do not even have a home to decorate due to Hurricane Sandy. Geneva Flamingos are trying to help make the season a little brighter.

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