The flamingoes have landed.
March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and once again, the Munroe-Meyer Institute is holding its “Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser for Disabilities Awareness,” which began last week and will continue through March 31.
For a small donation, MMI’s “specially trained flocking technicians” will place a group of pink flamingos on selected front lawns. (The fundraiser is limited to homes in the Omaha city limits.)
People who have been “flocked” can let the flamingoes remain for about a week, along with a sign promoting developmental disabilities awareness, or can call MMI to either remove the flock or forward it to another residence. (Forwarding a flock – usually about six to eight plastic birds – requires another donation, but the flocks will be removed with no obligation if the homeowner requests it.)
As the flock moves about Omaha, the message – and hopefully a reminder that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are valued members of our community – spreads, said Jackie Hankins, a member of MMI’s community engagement team.
“People with developmental disabilities participate in all areas of community life,” Hankins said. “This fundraiser helps the institute amplify that message, as well as reach out to families who might benefit from our services.”
Melonie Welsh, director of community engagement at MMI, said two groups, Belonging and the Student Alliance for People of All Abilities, will help transport that flocks around the city.
“This is intended to be in good fun, and it has proved popular since we started doing it in 2020,” Welsh said. “The flamingoes are a great conversation starter, and they can act as an invitation for the recipients to educate their friends and neighbors about the role people with developmental disabilities play in our Nebraska community and beyond.”