WNC Parrot Head Club
The Western North Carolina Parrot Head Club, founded in 1998 is a charter member of (PHIP) Parrot Heads in Paradise, Inc., PHIP is a Non-Profit Corporation, whose purpose is to assist in community and environmental concerns and provide a variety of social activities for people who are interested in the music of Jimmy Buffett and the tropical lifestyle he personifies. The purpose of PHIP is to promote the international network of Parrot Head Clubs as humanitarian group sharing information and social activities for mutual benefit. PHIP sanctioned clubs engage in activities that are charitable, educational and promote the general welfare of the community. Currently our organization stands at 205 chapters in seven (7) different countries, 45 states and one U.S. Territory. Our total membership increased a whopping 22% in 2004, with a total of more than 23,671 dedicated, fun-loving Parrot Heads within the ranks. Again, it's mighty apparent that the "Parrot Head Nation" is not only alive and well, but thriving. Now, for the big news ... in 2004, Parrot Head Clubs collectively raised for and/or donated to charitable organizations a staggering $2,202,957.00! Additionally, chapters worldwide donated more than 404,690 man-hours to philanthropic and environmental activities!
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 pop tops 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 those who participate with them and promote their projects.
There is also a coveted award “The Golden Coconut Award” which is presented annually at the National Convention held in Key West. This honor is given to the club who is most deserving based upon their local efforts in giving back to the community & environment. The Western North Carolina PHC, consisting of 90+ members, spanning 8 decades in age won this award in 2003! WNCPHC has given to Manna Food Bank, American Red Cross, Helpmate, Humane Society of Asheville & Madison Counties, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, Paramedics for Children, Alzheimer’s Association, Relay for Life, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, supporting their president in winning Woman of the Year for Buncombe County in 2003, Mimi Page Foundation, Military Aide, Toys for Tots, Save the Manatee, Kentucky Coal Mine Mission, Flood Victim Relief, Hands on Hurricane Relief for Families in Eastern North Carolina, Project Linus, Music Scholarship for WNC Student, Eblen Charities and a quarterly “Adopt-A-Highway” clean-up in Black Mountain. This is a small portion of the agencies & individuals that the Parrot Head Club has assisted. In 2004, the club voted to focus our efforts on one particular program in order to make a really large impact on the individuals it serves. Our partner and charity of choice is the Western Carolina Down Syndrome Alliance. We have 4 Parrot Head Club members serving on the WCDSA Board. We hope to assist them by volunteer services at their annual Buddy Walk, and by raising funds through our volunteers working @ Bele Chere 2005 and from giving them 100% of the proceeds from the 1 st Annual Flip Flop Hop, Asheville’s First Tropical Gala. We hope to bring awareness about Down Syndrome and to assist them in sending local children to Summer Camp each year. Please join us in the effort!
Gail Weams, President & Co-Founder
Western North Carolina Parrot Head Club
www.phip.com
www.wncphc.com
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