MOMS CLUB OF SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS: Flamingo invasion

Southwest-area group uses lawn ornaments to help raise money to benefit American Cancer Society

Larry Cruikshank/ViewNicole Barker sticks her MOMS Club signature pink flamingo in the grass at her residence in Southern Highlands. Larry Cruikshank/ViewMOMS Club members, from left, Christine Edwards, Sandra Harder and Nicole Barker wear black outfits and pink feather boas when targeting the yard of a potential victim. Larry Cruikshank/ViewMOMS Club members, from left, Christine Edwards, Sandra Harder and Nicole Barker wear black outfits and pink feather boas when targeting the yard of a potential victim. Advertisement

If you spot a band of three dozen moms coasting in minivans through southwest Las Vegas neighborhoods with pink flamingo lawn ornaments in hand, don't call the cops. Instead, MOMS Club of Southern Highlands is hoping you'll hand over a $20 donation to the American Cancer Society.

The club's goal is to rake in thousands of dollars of donations throughout October -- Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- with the help of a quirky fundraising idea.

Members of the MOMS Club will pepper lawns of their neighbors in the Southern Highlands area with a dozen plastic pink flamingos. The victims of the prank can either put up with the gaudy sight for four days, or give a $20-plus donation for the American Cancer Society and the name and address of another victim.

Club members move flocks from yard to yard at night, dressed in black outfits complete with pink boas.

"I never toilet-papered a house in high school, so I have this pent-up need to do pranks," charity event co-chair Nicole Barker said. "We haven't gotten caught yet."

Barker went as far as to call Southern Highlands' neighborhood security guards to explain the odd charity event in advance to avoid any trouble.

The club tested what they've dubbed the Flight of the Pink Flamingos fundraiser last year on 15 lawns. The group's goal is to have at least four flocks circulating lawns in Southern Highlands throughout the month. The women also will raise money for the American Cancer Society through the Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk on Saturday.

With so many women affected by breast cancer, Barker said choosing a charity to support was the easy part.

Christine Edwards, a MOMS Club board member, said the charity event is close to her heart. Many of her relatives have suffered through cancer, and her aunt died of breast cancer.

"Anything to do with cancer, I'm ready to help," said Edwards, whose personal goal is to raise $200 in the Making Strides walk. "We're kind of going all out on it."

MOMS Club of Southern Highlands is part of an international nonprofit group formed to provide support for stay-at-home mothers. The Southern Highlands group, which claims about 40 mothers, brings in speakers, plans play dates with mothers and their children and monthly moms' nights out. The club also holds fundraisers, clothing drives and food collections throughout the year to support nonprofits like Child Haven and Safe Nest. There are several MOMS Club chapters throughout the valley.

Barker crossed paths with the club three years ago when she was new to Las Vegas and new to motherhood.

"When I moved to the area, I didn't know anybody," she said. "And suddenly, I got to know all these women with kids the same age. We talk about everything from what poopie diaper works the best to events in the area."