COMMUNITY Parrot Heads of the Prairie Community Involvement Events. PHOP, Inc. is a not for profit organization dedicated
to preserving and improving the environment and being active in
community oriented projects as a means of social interaction with
like minded people interested in the lifestyle, tropical spirit,
and music of Jimmy Buffett. What have we been up to since our
inception in March of 2005? Well matey, let us do some s'plainin'
for ya... And keep in mind that all community service hours have
been voluntary, nary a single hour be handed down by some durn
judge! STATE OF THE PHLOCK - 2008 Welcome to 2008 and our annual "State of the Phlock" report. By all accounts, 2007 was another banner year around
the "ParrotHead Nation." We worked hard and we played
hard! We had a lot of fun, we cavorted with old friends, we made
new friends and, sadly, we bid farewell to far too many beloved
friends. What we most assuredly did, in a big way, was make a
difference! A difference in our communities, a difference in our
environment and a difference in the lives of our fellow man as
we continue to grow and prosper. What began with the original
Parrot Head Club in Atlanta blossomed to a record 229 chapters
at year end, an increase of 6% from 2006. Attendees this year enjoyed visiting with our guest Ms. Lucy Buffett who spent time in the mini-mart signing copies of her long-awaited and newly released cookbook. Again, our raffle and the charity auction were extremely successful, as were the annual blood drive and Toys For Tots campaign. Parrot Heads also participated, en masse, in the annual Zonta Walk and, as a team, generated a donation of $ 10,000 for the cause. Replacing the defunct Balcony Decorating Contest for the first time was the soon-to-be-infamous MOTM Hat Contest. In the presence of a panel of luminary judges, Parrot Heads went way beyond the call of duty, as they've been known to do on occasion. Designs ranged from simple to intricate and from the sublime to the deliciously ridiculous, with every entry generating thunderous applause from the capacity crowd. As always, we had a few chapters fall by the wayside, but we've also added several new chapters to the PHiP family already this year, with more on the horizon. At this writing, our organization stands at 227 chapters in the United States, Canada and Australia! Three different countries, 47 states, 3 Canadian provinces and one U.S. Territory. Our total membership remains steady with more than 25,000 dedicated, fun-loving Parrot Heads amongst the ranks. Again, it's apparent that the "ParrotHead Nation" is not only alive and well, but thriving. Now, for the big news ... In 2007, Parrot Head Clubs collectively raised for and/or donated to charitable organizations approximately $ 2.9 million. Perhaps more importantly, Parrot Heads carried on the tradition of volunteerism as 2007 saw chapters worldwide donate more than 181,000 man-hours to philanthropic and environmental activities. In this day & time, it's easy to write a check for charity.¦ People have more money than time. This past year, however, Parrot Heads collectively spent the equivalent of 7500+ 24 hour days on charitable, social and environmental activities and they had a BLAST while doing it !! PHiP has attained National Status with both the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life program and the Alzheimer's Associations' Memory Walk program. In an effort to make a dent in world hunger, our Feeding Frenzy Project has gained strength and support, culminating with World Food Day in October. Additionally, 2007 saw PHiP cement an agreement with Margaritaville Foods that should generate additional funds for charity at the local Club level. And, there's more to the story! These numbers, while spectacular, do not include those efforts which are not measured by dollars or man-hours: * The tons of canned goods collected and donated to local food banks across the country * The hundreds of thousands of poptops collected for and turned into money by Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the land * The thousands of new toys collected and donated to Toys For Tots to provide Christmas for underprivileged children who otherwise would have nothing * The thousands of critical items donated to local animal shelters ... everything from food & blankets to old newspapers & leashes * The hundreds of gallons of blood and plasma donated to save countless lives across this great nation * The hundreds & hundreds of care packages sent to our soldiers in Iraq I could go on and on, but the picture is clear ... the good deeds that Parrot Heads perform for the benefit of the community, the environment and our fellow man often cannot be measured in quantitative terms, yet are so vital to the recipients and should be a constant source of satisfaction to each of us. So, to each and every one of you, a heartfelt THANK YOU for a job well done! You truly are "Angels In Tropical Shirts" and you should be very proud of yourselves and your accomplishments. Spring is here, summer is nigh and the concert season is upon us ... Time to do what we do best: Have fun and "Party With A Purpose!" Till next time, may all your dreams be tropical! Bob Heffelfinger 2008 January - We had our 3rd Annual Winter Party, which again set records for attendance! This year we were able to present the Food Band with 270lbs of food. The food that was donated was all specific to the list of the Food Bank's needs! No one just grabbed a can of pumpkin mix out of the cuboard. PHOP and friends also reached into their wallets and presented $113.00 in cash donation on top of the food donation. February - We had 25 of our "phlock and phriends" turn out to staff the event and the Special Olympics's "Mall Golf" at the Empire Mall, providing the largest volunteer group for the entire course of the event! Mall Golf sold 125 game cards that Sunday for $620.00 and raised another $84.00 in "per Hole" play for a Grand Total of $704.00! 2007 January - PHOP, Inc donated a silent auction package of Jimmy Buffett treasure, which raised $48 for Childrens Care Hospital and School during their annual beach party. January - 35 Members gathered at "Maragaitaville Night" at Chasers where 16 boxes were filled to the brim with goods for our U.S. military members serving overseas! February - We hosted our 2nd Annual Winter Party, which was attened by over 150 folks who raised 142lbs of food and $143 for the Sioux Falls Food Bank as well as $330 for the National Kidney Foundation. February - 15 Members donated 60 hours to benefit Special Olympics' "Mall Golf" fundraiser at the Empire Mall. July - 30 Members donated 126 hours and raised $900 operating a parking lot during the two day Jazz Festival. These funds were donated to the Miracle League of Sioux Falls. August - 3 Parrot Heads donated 10 hours to raise $85 for the South Dakota Alzheimer's chapter. September - During our annual Shrimp Boil and the monthly phlocking we raised $1,125 for the local "Backpack Program." September - 11 Members of the Phlock donated 36 hours to assist the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society set up for an event that raised over $15,000 for music education and scholarships. 2006 January - PHOP, Inc. donated a silent auction item to the Childrens Care Hospital and School's Beach Party fundraiser. 13 Members attended the gathering where our lighted palm tree decorated with island items and plenty of JB stuff was purchased for $409! 6 Members worked a total of 29 hours to support this wonderful event.
February - We hosted our first annual Winter Party. Over 150 people looking for a little island getaway during the winter months attended the party. We raised 113lbs of food for the local food pantry through the work of 8 members donating 40 hours of service. July - 30 Members donated 120 hours and raised $825 operating a parking lot during the two day Jazz Festival. These funds were donated to the Junior Sioux Wheelers, a youth wheelchair basketball team.
September - 14 Members donated 47 hours working the Sidewalk Arts Festival benefiting the local arts foundation. December - 16 Members donated 41.5 hours collecting tickets and directing traffic at the Heartland House outdoor holiday light display, raising $2,934. December - 5 Members donated
10 hours wrapping Christmas packages helping The Childrens Inn
raise funds. The Childrens Inn provides temporary housing and
support to parents and children who are in an unstable and dangerous
situation. 2005 July - 18 Members donated 55 hours and raised $1,120.00 operating a parking lot during the two day Jazz Festival. These funds were donated to the Childrens Care Hospital and School
November - 10 Members donated 52 hours collecting tickets and directing traffic at the Heartland House outdoor light display. All funds raised from the light display go to the Heartland House, which provides transitional housing for homeless families with the goal of self-sufficiency for the family.
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