Spotted: A Flock of Pink Flamingos in Snellville

If you see a flock of pink flamingos in someone's lawn in the upcoming months, don't fret: It's all for a good cause. 

Snellville residents Stephanie and Makayla Bouchea are planting the pink plastic birds at different homes in and around the community in order to raise funds for Gwinnett Relay for Life. 

The mother and 12-year-old daughter started flocking early last week. The two go to the flocked home in the middle of the evening, remove the flamingos and plant them at the next home.

"We try not to get caught," said Makayla, who's in seventh grade.

The birds only stay for the day, and, as explained in paperwork that comes with the flamingos, those whose homes are flocked have the option to choose the next "victim," as long as he or she lives in the Snelville area. That option can be purchased for $5, and $10 can buy that and "anti-flocking insurance," which prohibits the birds from visiting them a second time.

So far, the project has been well received. They've already raised more than a $100, and almost everyone donates money for the next "the attack."

The fundraiser came about when the Boucheas heard about similar "flocking" projects and wanted to do something for Makayla's independent fundraiser for Relay at her school, Snellville Middle.

"We were trying to find something other than selling chocolate," said Stephanie. "We wanted to make it fun."

They also wanted to do something special this year since it's Makayla's 10th year of survivorship.

When Makayla was 19 months old, she was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare cancer that affects the eyes. After eight months of chemotherapy, laser therapy, cryotherapy and eight major surgeries, her left eye was removed, and she has less than 10 percent vision in the other eye.

She still goes in for outpatient surgeries twice a year. Her most recent big surgery, the removal and replacement of her orbital implant of her right eye, was in early August. This surgery has an estimated fourth-month healing period.

But the surgeries and her condition don't slow Makayla down one bit. Aside from Relay, she's in the gifted program at school, she's in the Junior Leadership Corps, and she does gymnastics. 

"It just amazes me what she can do with less than 10 percent vision in one eye," said Stephanie.

The Boucheas plan to flock Snellville homes until May 2014 when Relay for Life's big annual event takes place. Makayla hopes to personally raise $1,000. 

To send the flamingos to someone you know, even if you haven't been flocked yourself, contact Stephanie Bouchea at 912-210-6174. To donate to Makayla's Relay for Life fundraiser, visit her Relay for Life page.