2024 Year-End Sprint
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
The Parrots' UmbrellaWe fought! We won! We are in debt and need your help!
$3,215
raised by 26 people
$20,000 goal
Update and Best Wishes
A Heartfelt Thank You
As the New Year approaches, it's time to wrap up our year-end campaign. With just about 16 hours left in this year, we want to take a moment to once again express our deepest gratitude.
From the bottom of our soaring hearts, thank you for your incredible support.
Reflecting on Our Whole Flock
Writing this message feels like sending words into the vast unknown, but I am comforted by imagining all of you with your various flocks as if you were all nearby. Facebook statistics reveal that this flock of supporters has grown to an impressive 1,746 Followers - 17 of whom joined us just this week ~*~~*~Welcome!~*~~*~
Celebrating Your Support
Here are the stats:
333 Page Visits: Thank you for stopping by to see what we're up to.
298 Reactions: Your likes and caring emojis truly lifted our spirits.
23 Generous Donors: Your contributions of $2,420 empower us to continue to enrich the lives of companion parrots.
Looking Ahead to the New Year
As we all prepare to ring in the New Year, I (Tracy) wish each of you vibrant health, enduring friendships, and inspiring goals to strive toward. Your support makes a world of difference, and we look forward to another amazing year together.
Happy New Year!
As we gently preen, tuck one foot up, and begin to softly beak-grind at the close of the year, we are grateful. We made it through another year. We were here to say a hello to new flock members and a bittersweet goodbye as others flew away from our hearts.
For the first year ever, we are closing the year with debt. Quite a lot of debt. We come to you with hat in hand to ask for your help. Unless you have no idea what that means, in which case we’re sliding into your DMs to ask for your assist.
A Legal Battle for Justice
In 2023, a legal summons contesting the placement of one of our beloved flock members arrived in our PO Box. After a 1-½-year exhausting fight, we are way-past-happy to report she will stay with her new family where she belongs! Unfortunately, the legal fees incurred - even at a generously discounted rate - amounted to nearly $45,000, landing The Parrots’ Umbrella in debt for the first time ever.
The Power of the Flock
We continue to fluff up our feathers and stretch each day because the need never ends. We can spread our wings because you are here, too. It's your unwavering support that keeps us in the air.
Your Impact Over the Years
Year Donations
2018 $ 1,825.31
2019 $ 3,596.23
2020 $20,057.56
2021 $20,523.02
2022 $15,345.02
2023 $23,109.88
2024 $21,176.68
Your support has astonished us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Maybe you can spot the trouble with paying legal fees that equal approximately 2 years of contributions?
What else?
All the normal kerfuffle has continued on as if it did not notice. Because it should. We are down for the kerfuffle. We thrive on kerfuffle!
We were able to provide $4700 for nutrition, enrichment, and environmental needs. This includes enclosures for parrots who wander in unhoused, as well as keeping the foster flock busy and healthy (Shout Out to our Fosters!!). Speaking of health, there was just over $3000 in Veterinary care and prescriptions.
Most of our expenses are intended for support. We are not a rescue. We are advocates. We are educators. We know what it means when hormone season spikes. We smile and explain why that sweet cuddly bappy has started major VOCALIZING and choosing ViOleNcE if anyone dares to cross the boundary into their enclosure. What has happened?! What is Going On? We are here.
We are here when the choice is family groceries or nutritious fodder and shreddable toys. We are here when Oh-My-What-Kind-of-Bird-is-This that just flew into my garage? We would keep him if we knew what to do. Or worse…my bird just flew out the door, can you help? We are here.
We are here to help when injury or age threatens to separate parrot and person. For the love of whatever you hold dear, if you need inpatient care - GET CARE, then come back more able to care for your feathered flock-mate. They count on you.
Was It Worth It?
Was it the right choice, for the sake of just one, when so much could have been done for many others? It is a difficult question to ponder. But perhaps the answer lies with the one for whom we fought so hard. For her, it was undoubtedly worth it.
As we move forward, our hope is that together we can face whatever challenges the new year brings with hope and determination. For the sake of that “one” and all the other “ones” who are part of our current human and avian flock, as well as those we have not yet met, please consider an end-of-year financial gift or, better yet, a recurring monthly donation. Thank you for being the foundation of our strength and resilience.
Jennifer, Celeste, Pam, Nina, and Tracy
Chair-Ladies of the Board
Love Life. Love Birds.
www.theparrotsumbrella.org