Flocks of flamingos have descended upon DeKalb County…plastic ones at least….as part of a fundraiser for the Last-Minute Toy Shop.
Secretary Denise Page said the flamingos are being moved around people’s yards and to local businesses to help families in need give their children Christmas gifts. Page said the money raised will help the Shop buy toys, which families can pick up for free on Free Shopping Day.
“DeKalb County is a rural little county,” Page said. “But unfortunately, the way it is, not everybody works. And I do see a lot of grandparents raising their grand kids. And they’re done past their time of working, it’s their sunset years. And they’re having to raise children. So we’re just here to help.”
Page said the fundraiser is for any families facing financial hardship, whether it is because of medical bills, loss of a job, or a result of a single parent household.
Page said the need for an organization like the Last-Minute Toy Shop is big in DeKalb County. She said in the first year, they served some 217 kids. Page said last number, they helped over 400 children.
Page said the fundraising flamingos are placed in a resident’s yard, and that person can make a donation to have the flamingos moved to a yard of their choice.
“We want to keep them moving to keep the donations up,” Page said. “And we can get get them moving every two or three days, and people in DeKalb County have a really good time with it.
Page said families especially enjoy it, as several people have taken their pictures with the flamingos before they are moved. Page said she usually asks for around a $20 donation.
Page said there is not a financial goal, but she hopes to use the donations as responsibly as possible. In doing so, Page said her staff is constantly searching for great value in terms of inventory.
“We are the Martha Stewart of a clearance sale,” Page said. “We keep an eye on papers. We’re in contact with stores. If they’re going to have a clearance sale, we’re the first ones there at the door. And we just try our best to use the money responsibly where we can wring every nickel and dime out that we can.”
Page said the annual Shopping Day event will include gifts like toys divided by age group, books, puzzles, sports balls, and stocking stuffers. Page said each child who comes to the Last-Minute Toy Shop will have their gifts wrapped, and they will be given a Bible on the way out.
Page said there will be more fundraisers leading up to Christmas, and more information can be found on the Last Minute Toy Shop Facebook page.
