Pretty in pink? Plastic flamingos flock to Fruit Heights in American Cancer Society fundraiser

FRUIT HEIGHTS — The backyard was the site for swimming for Emily Morgan's family Tuesday evening. Little did the Morgans know, the front yard likewise featured a splash of activity.

They eventually discovered a front yard occupied by 20 pink, plastic flamingos.

"I thought they were really quite cute," Morgan chuckled Wednesday. "It actually did add a lot of color to my yard."

The pink flock is all about adding some "green" to the American Cancer Society. Cooked up by Susan Cranford, deputy city recorder, and City Councilwoman Bette Hubrich, the "Fighting Flamingos of Fruit Heights City" will move from yard to yard after homeowners donate to the Cancer Society.

Two flocks, one for each side of U.S. 89, began showing up in yards on Tuesday.

"It's not mean-spirited, but it is kind of like they're being held hostage," Cranford said of homeowners. "Once they donate to the Cancer Society, the flock will 'fly away' and visit another yard."

Morgan took Tuesday's surprise in stride.

"I think they'll victimize whoever they can, so we were the lucky ones," said Morgan, whose mother is being treated for cancer and whose mother-in-law has been cancer-free for a few years. "At first, I was like, 'What is this?' But after I thought about it, I thought it was a pretty neat deal. ... We've all got it close in our family, and it will be neat to donate to it. It's a good cause."

Cranford and Hubrich hatched the flamingo idea after a recent cancer society pitch for support at a City Council meeting. They wanted to do something to help city employee Shauna Hill, whose husband, Paul, is fighting pancreatic cancer.

"This is a good thing to draw the community together," Cranford said. "It's a small town, so it's really doable in Fruit Heights city. There are good people who live in this town, and we really want to help each other. But how do you help someone with cancer? We thought this was a good way to do it, to help our neighbors who are suffering or have suffered with cancer, to fight the battle."

Organizers are hoping to raise at least $1,500 for the cancer society, but Cranford said she thinks they'll top that amount.

Each flock comes with an explanatory note left at the homeowners' door and a sign for their yard.