Those cute clusters of pink flamingos you’re seeing around town are the result of a Flamingo Fundraiser to benefit breast cancer research and support conceived by Cathy Curley, a top producer at Dale Sorensen Real Estate known for her rosy personality – and the color pink.
Curley recently kicked off the fundraiser with a Vero Beach Pink Flamingo Cocktail Party at the Riomar Beach Club that featured all things pink – from a pink carpet and balloon arch to pink drinks, which she laughingly called Cathy Curley Kool-Aid.
“I had this idea several years ago and it’s finally come to fruition,” said Curley, stating that pink is her brand.
Curley said her pink persona happened organically after she moved to Vero Beach with her “greatest cheerleaders” – husband Mike and sons Jack and Chris – and reactivated her real estate license.
“And what does every realtor do? They take a picture,” said Curley. She happened to be wearing a pink jacket and, after people saw the ad and recognized her as the “pink girl,” she decided to run with it.
“We even bought a pink house in Riomar. So, this theme has grown, and we’ve built on it; I have carried it across the board. So I’ve got a new, fun pink car, the pink house, pink, pink, pink. That’s my thing and I’m owning it,” said Curley.
“The concept of the fundraiser is if you donate a minimum of $100, you get a flock of pink flamingos for your home or business or the lawn of your choice. You get a flock of 30, because you want a decent flock,” she explained.
“One-hundred percent of the proceeds go to breast cancer research and local support such as helping with rides to chemo treatments or helping people with medical bills and wigs.”
As people sign up, she said pink-shirted volunteer drivers will schedule drop-off days in various neighborhoods.
“They’ll just be popping up around the town. My vision is that people will be driving around Vero Beach and look over and think, ‘Why are all these flamingos over there?’ It will just sort of be a fun way to spread awareness and raise funds during the month of October.”
Explaining why she chose to support breast cancer, Curley said, “It was a great fit because breast cancer awareness has always been pink, pink, pink. So it was on brand, but also, I lost my stepmother to breast cancer in 2010 so it was personal to me.”
Additionally, as real estate is slower this time of year, she said she could devote more time to the fundraiser than at the height of season.
During a brief talk to guests, Curley commented on her relationship with DSRE, saying: “The Sorensen family has been incredibly supportive of me, and I love that I’m at a family-owned and -operated company that gives more back to this community than any other. I also love that when I have a question, concern or need anything at all, I can sit down with Mr. Sorensen face to face versus someone at a corporate office in another city or state.”
Referring to each person individually, Curley praised the “phenomenal” staff at DSRE, and thanked her clients for having confidence in her, adding that she works hard to deliver results and provide excellent customer service.
“I have fallen in love with Vero Beach, the lifestyle and this community. The Flamingo fundraiser is just a fun way for me to give back,” said Curley.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
