ANDOVER — The birds are back.
Tomorrow, 100 plastic flamingos will be placed in front of West Middle School. By Sunday, the ornaments will have migrated to lawns across town as part of the West Middle School PAC's second annual Flamingo Flocking fundraiser. It will run through May 23.
Here's how the fundraiser works: Residents can request a "flocking" of someone's front yard for a $35 donation. Volunteers will then place a dozen flamingos there along with a sign explaining the fundraiser. The birds will remain on the lawn for up to two days.
Residents can have the birds removed and request a flocking of their own for a $35 donation, or can purchase what event organizers are calling flocking insurance for $15, which will prevent their yard from being flocked again.
Last year's event raised $6,500, $3,000 more than the goal.
This year, the West Middle School PAC has set an ambitious goal to raise $7,000.
"It is all in fun," said PAC Vice President Tracy Callahan. "A lot of people are like, 'Why do I have a dozen flamingos in my yard?' They can't quite figure it out."
Callahan said volunteers will work from 8 to 10 p.m. in hopes of flocking 10 houses every night. The flocking is performed by teams of adults, their children and their friends.
Callahan said the best part is not being spotted.
"The kids think it's a riot," said Callahan. "They go into stealth position."
To set up a flocking, go to http://wmsflamingo.blogspot.com or e-mail wmsflocking@gmail.com. A check, made payable to WMS PAC, may be left in the West Middle School front office or mailed to the West Middle School PAC, 70 Shawsheen Road, Andover, MA 01810.
"You make a donation and you're doing something fun," said Callahan.
