Posted: August 22, 2012, 11:30 a.m. PST
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Courtesy Janet Holt Hilton
Volunteers helped chop more 200 pounds of vegetables.
Patricia Sund hosted Chopalooza, an event that benefited the Florida Parrot Rescue. |
Parrot Nation’s
Chopalooza, an event run by writer, blogger and speaker,
Patricia Sund, raised $10,000 for the Florida Parrot Rescue (FPR). Chopalooza, held at Bonnie’s Birds in Port Charlotte, Florida on July 14, 2012, featured “Chop,” a fresh-food feeding concept for
pet birds and parrots. The Chop crew produced 200 pounds of the vegetable, whole grains and supplement mixture, which was available for a donation to benefit the FPR.
Sund attended the event with her popular African grey parrot, Parker, one of the three birds that are the subject of her column, "
Memos to Parker and Pepper,” as well as one subject of discussion at her blog, "Parrot Nation.” The event had an online auction, several raffle drawings and a packed house of parrot enthusiasts participating in making food.
“People were involved, helping and learning [how to feed birds fresh foods]; there was great music playing and the party atmosphere made this fundraiser festive and fun,” Sund said. “I couldn't have been happier about how it turned out. And we couldn't believe how many people attended! It was the happiest and most positive event I've ever attended.”
With $10,000 raised, the Chopalooza event was marked as the most successful FPR fundraising event ever. The FPR, founded by Jennifer Underwood James, is a not-for-profit avian rescue dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of companion parrots.
"This first Chopalooza was a blueprint for what we hope are many more in the future,” Sund said. “We learned as we went along and took note of how we could improve. Florida Parrot Rescue intends to make Chopalooza an annual event, so next year's Chopalooza will be even better.”