By Ben Rodgers
Editor
DE PERE – The Pink Flamingo Classic has been cancelled this year, but that hasn’t stopped eager flamingos from trying to raise money for charity.
With the 37th annual charity softball tournament and golf tournament called off due to concerns about COVID-19, organizers took to social media to announce different ways people can help, by holding a Facebook press conference Friday, May 29.
“We either wanted to be all-in or all-out in terms of doing the weekend,” said Trevor Ramseier, a Pink Flamingo since 2017. “People have come to know the Pink Flamingo and have expectations, both from an experience standpoint and an opportunistic standpoint. We determined that rather than try to do Pink Flamingo light, as we called it, we were going to put the power of the Pink Flamingo, and the following, and all of our efforts into raising funds for the community.”
Ramseier said the goal for this year is $37,000 virtually, because this was set to be the 37th year of the tournament.
He said all 18 teams in the Pink Flamingo Classic are challenged to raise a minimum of $2,000.
Ramseier said the average team size is 14, which comes to less than $150 a player.
He said the team that raises the most money will be crowned the 2020 Pink Flamingo Champion, and will have their name put on the trophy, just as the tournament winner would have this year.
The Pink Flamingo Old Timers are in the tournament for the first time this year and looking to challenge younger teams in fundraising, Ramseier said.
He said any community members that have ever been to the Pink Flamingo in the past are challenged to donate $20 (or more if they so choose) and to challenge someone else to donate $20.
Ramseier said people are encouraged to choose which team they support with their donation.
He said the Pink Flamingo merchandise, which has become a common sight in De Pere, will be sold online this year, with the official store launching sometime late June/early July.
Ramseier said more details will come at a later date.
The theme this year is Flamingos Salute the Front Line.
Visit dpflamingos.com to donate and challenge someone else to make a donation.
Checks payable to Pink Flamingo Classic Inc., can also be mailed to 2712 Boxwood Circle, De Pere, WI 54115.
People can also track the total amount raised on the website, which was more than $10,000 on Tuesday, June 2.
In the tournament’s first 35 years of existence, it raised more than $1 million it donated to local charities, nonprofits, youth groups, scholarships and families in need.
“It’s all about a grassroots effort to give back to the community that has backed everything we’ve ever done over the past 36 years,” Ramseier said.
He said donations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. through championship Sunday, July 12.