Flamingos a sign of Baker Memorial youth mission is fundraising

Submitted by Baker Memorial United Methodist Church

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The Tri-Cities, and other parts of the western suburban landscape, have been awash in pink flamingos lately. And those pink birds mean greenbacks for Baker Memorial United Methodist Church youth, who are planting the flamingos to raise money for the church youth mission trip to South Dakota this summer.

Participants pay $20 to have 10 flamingos placed in someone’s yard, along with a note explaining the flamingo invasion. Should the resident want to discover just who “flamingo-ed” them, that information is available … for the mere additional cost of $10.

This is the third summer for flamingo fun at Baker Memorial Church in St. Charles. “The youth have a great time with the clandestine nighttime flamingo plantings, and those getting the flamingos have a great time figuring out who sent them,” said the Rev. Jim Best, director of youth ministries.

One needn’t be a member or be connected with the church to order flamingos. “We always have a number of orders from people who just think the whole idea is a lot of fun,” Best said.

The flamingos remain for four days unless the “flamingo-EE” wants them removed before then. “And it better be for a good reason,” Best joked.

The fundraiser runs through the middle of July. To arrange flamingo fun, people may call Jim Best at (630) 881-4338. Checks should be made payable to Baker Memorial UMC, with “youth mission trip” written on the memo line.

Baker Memorial Church is at 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. For information, call (630) 584-6680.