- May 1, 2024
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Snowbirds are an important part of the volunteer force. Photo Jacque Estes
Additional Snowbird blanteteers will translate to more productivity and more items to be donated to special groups. Photo Jacque Estes
Maureen Caulfield, head of the Blanketeers, will be happy when the snowbirds return and more items can be made and donated. Photo Jacque Estes
Some snowbirds bring their home with them and camp at different state park camp grounds during their stay. Photo Jacque Estes
Unless we start banding them, it is unlikely we will ever have a definitive figure on the number of snowbirds that flock to our area every year. Some come in recreational vehicles and move about the state, others stay in rented condos or hotels, while others maintain a second home in the two counties. But, their impact is felt.
“There’s no question that our seasonal visitors to the area bring economical benefits,” Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce director Rick Fraser said. “They eat in our restaurants, have a condo or hotel room; they go shopping and visit the attractions.”
Between November and January 2013, 7,521 guests came to the Ormond Beach chamber for area information. The number increased to 7,980 during the same time frame in 2014.
These numbers include all visitors to the chamber, not just snowbirds.
“There’s no quantitative way to give a number of snowbirds to our area,” Fraser said.
The Flagler County Property Appraiser’s office reported that the top three states for out-of-state property owners in the county are New York: 5,837; New Jersey: 3,136; and Georgia: 1,368.
A huge benefit for the area is derived from what the temporary residents do during their stay — besides eating out, playing golf and shopping. Many are volunteers at the libraries, schools, hospitals and other nonprofit organizations.
Libraries are a favorite volunteer post for many snowbirds. Tammy Mamakos, volunteer manager at Ormond Beach Regional Library, knows when her birds are returning to the roost because they contact her.
“I just got an email from one woman who was letting me know she would be back on October 14,” Mamakos said. “Others will call when they are back in town and ask if I want them on their regular day.”
Mamakos generally expects her seasonal volunteers back from about October to Easter.
“We really miss them when they are gone,” Mamakos said.
Colleen McNally a research assistant, who also oversees the library volunteers at the Flagler County Public Library, accommodates her snowbird’s schedules.
“I will hold the post for them and get a substitute volunteer for the job while they are gone,” she said. “They are usually here between October and May, and, since they are already trained and enjoy their post, it works out best.”
Flagler Volunteer Services Executive Director Suzy Gamblain also has to fill in spots when the annual migration returns to their northern homes.
“While they are away, we come up with volunteers to fill those needs,” she said. “When they come back, we get caught up. It’s wonderful.”
The din of knitting needles increases in the meeting room of the Flagler County Public Library when the snowbirds have returned, a sound Maureen Caulfield, head of the Blanketeers, is happy to hear. When her participant numbers swell with snowbirds, it means more crocheted and knitted items can be made and donated to local nursing homes, veteran organizations, hospice and other groups.
Many snowbirds bring their home with them, driving recreational vehicles and camping at Tomoka State Park or Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach. State parks have a maximum length of stay depending on demand, with the maximum being 56 days total (14 day increments) in a six-month period, which also accounts for snowbirds in RVs moving around the state.
