The 20th annual meeting of Parrot Heads in Paradise will be held in Key West from November 3-6.  The event draws 3500 Parrot Head members from across the country.  This group with “parrot” in their title will not be heading to our usual bird-watching locales, but will be combining fun and fundraising for charity.

I’m sure you are familiar with Key West‘s Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville, and Jimmy’s fans labeled “parrot heads,” but did you know that there are over 240 Parrot Head Clubs in the United States, Canada, and Australia?  Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the international network of Parrot Head Clubs as a humanitarian group.  The organization has a mission to not only provide events for Jimmy Buffett fans, but to assist communities and the environment.  A complete list of official Parrot Head Clubs can be found on the PHIP website.

Key West’s parrot heads apparently saw no need to be organized, and the first official Parrot Head Club was formed in Atlanta in 1989.  However, the Key West Parrot Head Club did adopt bylaws in November 1999 and we now can be found online at KeyWestParrotHeadClub.com.

I am impressed by the spirit of fun and the spirit of giving that characterizes the Parrot Head Club in Key West, as well as the other clubs worldwide.  In 2010, Parrot Head clubs from around the county gathered at the Gulf Coast in spring and summer to assist with environmental efforts in recovering from the oil disaster.  Clubs donated supplies, dollars, and many volunteer hours.  Jimmy Buffett added to the excitement and fundraising by hosting a benefit concert on the beach at Gulf Shores, AL.

Funds from the Paradise Charitable Foundation assist with social needs and concerns at local levels. I love the mission of this foundation: “Through the ideals, the teachings, and the examples set forth in the life, the music, and writings of Jimmy Buffett, we strive with uncompromising passion to leave this world a little better than we found it . . . and have a BLAST while doing so.”

The goal of “Leaving this world a little better than we found it – - and having a blast doing so,” describes many events in Key West!  This truly is a carefree but caring paradise to call home.  Let’s get started with your real estate search.  Give me a call today: MargaritaVilloch 305-304-8505 or contact me online at www.isellkw.com.

Check out upcoming events in Key West on IslandLivingKeyWest and share with your friends!