Number of Participants: 62
Hours Donated: 20
Value of Time Served: $43,140
Organization / Team: Girls Leaders Organization (GLO)
Event Type: Health & Medicine
Activity: Club
School: Walt Whitman High School
Date: November 1, 2025
Location:
Walt Whitman High School
West Hills Road, Huntington Station
NY
About:
The Girls Leaders Organization (GLO) at Walt Whitman High School has once again kicked off its annual breast cancer fundraising campaign in the most colorful way possible—by “flocking” homes across the South Huntington community with bright pink flamingos.
If you wake up to find a flock of flamingos decorating your front lawn, it’s a sure sign that the girls of GLO have paid you a visit—and it’s also your chance to support a powerful cause. Each October, during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, members of GLO take to the streets to raise funds for breast cancer research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, with all proceeds benefitting Stand Up for Suzanne, a local charity inspired by Huntington mom Suzanne Sokolowski-Shea. Suzanne courageously battled Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer until 2013 and encouraged her friends to continue her mission of supporting research and awareness.
For seven consecutive nights, GLO members work in teams of two, stealthily placing flocks of six to ten flamingos on the lawns of community members who have been anonymously nominated. Each “flocked” home receives a sign that reads, “Congratulations, you’ve been flocked!” along with information on how to donate and nominate the next recipient. The flamingos migrate nightly to new locations, spreading awareness—and smiles—throughout the neighborhood.
This lighthearted yet impactful campaign has become a cherished local tradition. Since 2015, GLO’s efforts have raised more than $90,000 for breast cancer research. Beyond fundraising, the initiative reflects GLO’s mission to empower student-athletes to lead with compassion, teamwork, and service.
Walt Whitman’s GLO is an academic sports honors society for junior and senior girls who maintain an average of 88 or higher and participate in varsity athletics or Girls’ Sports Night. Members are dedicated to both athletic excellence and community engagement, and their creativity in giving back continues to inspire others year after year.
As one of the advisors shared, “The best part is seeing how much joy it brings to people—it’s fun, unexpected, and meaningful all at once.”
For more information about the “flocking” fundraiser, visit standupforsuzanne.org/flocking-fundraiser.
