Our Flamingo Wrangler Goes Nationwide!

One of the original AWSOM Flamingo Fly-By Fundraising flock wranglers, Dr Clair Thompson, of East Stroudsburg Veterinary Hospital has taken some of the flock on a motorcycle migration. Dr Clair and a couple flamingos are hitting the highways of this great country in an attempt to further increase awareness and funding for this great cause in the Poconos! During his 48 States, 30 Days, 2 Wheels and 1 Flamingo trip, Dr Clair will be posting to a trip blog at http://48statesin30days.blogspot.com/ so check it out and become a birdwatcher! While you're at it, click http://www.awsomanimals.org/ and make a donation towards the shelter opening. Dr Clair has raised $615 for AWSOM in the last couple days and is planning to meet supporters all across this great nation of ours! If you're walking a dog at a highway rest area and see a big guy approaching you with a pink flamingo, that will be Dr Clair!

Liz-Tech Flamingo Fly-By Fundraising Pin!!!!

Another special thanks goes out to the great group at Liz-Tech Jewelry and Gallery for all their efforts at putting together a special commemorative fundraising pin for AWSOM and the Flamingo Fly-By! Dr Clairs' wife, Dr Sammie, has quite a collection of Liz-Techs unique wearable art and Dr Clair approached Evelyn of their design studio about putting something special together that we can use to again "increase awareness and funding for AWSOM, the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe"! The result is simply STUNNING and AVAILABLE! Dr Clair will have some of the special pins along during the ride and pins are available for $40 which is a bargain for a Liz-Tech collectible piece of art! Thanks to Evelyn, Lisa, Jill and the entire team for this gorgeous pin!

Am I Seeing Double?!?!?!

Although the ride is "48 States, 30 Days, 2 Wheels and 1 Flamingo", we decided to go with a pair so they wouldn't get lonely at the back of the bike! Also, being active in Animal Rescue efforts, we all know how hard it is to take 1 and not take the other!!!! So we're bringing them both!! Brian McCormick and Trevor mounted a pair of our fundraising flamingos onto a receiver hitch at the back of the Gold Wing. If people miss the yellow motorcycle, the flame paint job, the AWSOM, embroidery and the scrolling license plate frame surrounding the personalised 48N30 license plate, THEY WON'T MISS THE PINK FLAMINGOS!!!! The point of the flamingos is to instill curiosity, stimulate conversation and lead to donation, to AWSOM of course!

Brian McCormick Works His Mechanical Mojo!

Dr Clair and Brian McCormick have been friends for years and Brian does most of the wrenching on all the yellow vehicles, cars and bikes alike! Brian and his nephew Trevor tricked out the MellowYellow GoldWing with a custom scrolling message board surrounding the 48N30 personalised plate on the back of the motorcycle. This allows Dr Clair to post messages directly to the back of the bike via remote control, not while moving of course. Figuring out all the wiring was no problem for Brian and while he was at it he temporarily removed the 6 disc CD changer from the travel trunk to allow more room for gear and clothing. Dr Clair remains addicted to his XM/Sirius Satellite Radio tuned to Classic Vinyl! The rest of the electronics were tested and working, including the satellite radio, CB radio, radar detector, Garmin GPS and of course the essential this time of year, Gerbings heated clothing which is thermostatically controllable and includes gloves, jacket and pants. It'll be cold out in the Rockies!

Countdown to TakeOff Now!

The final countdown to the nationwide Flamingo Fly-By Fundraiser for AWSOM, Animal Welfare Society of Monroe, has begun. Dr Clair departs Sunday morning, October 4, on his attempt to further raise awareness and funding for the Monroe County Animal Shelter which opens October 31,2009 or Howl-o-ween! The promotional materials were designed by AWSOM Creative Copy Consultant Kristen Hamilton and printed by Kistler Printing on very short notice. Dr Clair will be passing out promotional postcards nationwide and not only inviting people to follow along at this blog, but encouraging them to donate to this very worthy cause! Keegan Tees did an AWSOM job with our big, bold banner as well as the AWSOM embroidery on Dr Clairs' riding gear, thanks Kymm and Patti! Dorothy and Al Schipps of DR's Custom Framing are behind the AWSOM yellow paw print magnets and LIDS topped it all off with the custom embroidered ballcap. The first couple days will be hectic getting gear sorted out and staying in touch via Blogger, FaceBook, Picasa, Twitter, Gmail and iPhone!!! Feel free to follow along but most of all, visit www.awsomanimals.org and donate to this life-affirming effort to open our animal shelter!