SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

The motto of the Charlotte Harbor Parrot Head Club is "party with a purpose,” and friends (back row) Bill Akins, CHPHC social director, Jeff and Kathy Brown; (front row) Ken Cook, Bob Brandt, Bret Engel, Dave Swan and Ed Rock are doing just that and having a great time.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Linda Hembree and Chris Marrapodi are ready for the costume contest to begin.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Maryann Gravelle, Cathy and Al Barrett, from Lake Suzy, and Norm Gravelle of Punta Gorda enjoy the event before their initiation as new Parrot Heads.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Jolene Mowry, director of the Yah Yah Girls Back Pack Kidz program, chats with Jerry York, president of the Charlotte Harbor Parrot Head Club, as she holds one of the 1,200 backpacks filled with food that goes to six elementary schools on a weekly basis.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Kristen Randolph holds her blue and gold Macaw named Ricky, whom she adopted last year. Bonnie and Ed Grafton of Bonnies Birds in Port Charlotte show off their blue and gold Macaw Corona and pet bird Ricky, fosters from Florida Bird Rescue, and Debbie Postle, with her adopted bird, Beeper.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Suzan Schwartz of the Sea Grape Gallery in Punta Gorda is ready for the Kentucky Derby.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Meloni Raisner, CHPHC charitable giving director, sells 50/50 raffle tickets to Michael “Bones” Koller of Englewood.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Jane Walker, CHPHC treasurer, turns over a check for $10,000 to Jolene Mowry, director of the Yah Yah Girls Back Pack Kidz program.

SUN PHOTO BY SUE PAQUIN

Jolene Mowry, director of the Yah Yah Girls Back Pack Kidz program, accepts a donation of $10,000 from Parrot Head Club president Jerry York as CHPHC board members Pat Brady and Charlie Rose look on.