When the president of The Villages Parrot Heads Club learned that a local restaurant manager had lost everything in an Easter Sunday fire, it hit home in a big way.
That prompted him and several of his fellow Parrot Heads – in an unofficial capacity – to swing into action to offer some help. Early Tuesday afternoon, the culmination of their efforts played out in a lively fashion as a parade of 40 golf carts loaded with club members rolled into Brownwood and parked in front of the Cody’s Original Roadhouse restaurant.
Minutes later, the eatery’s general manager, Mary Recchia, was being handed a variety of much-needed items. To say that the single mother of six who lost her Wildwood mobile home and all of its contents was overwhelmed would be a huge understatement.
“The Parrot Heads are wonderful,” said Recchia, who was out with her family celebrating her 13-year-old son’s birthday when her Wildwood mobile home went up flames. “They’re real good people. And not just helping me out – they help out everybody.”
Recchia’s story particularly touched Parrot Heads President Mark “The Shark” Woodland, who also lost his home to a fire in January 1995. He was living in Maple Shade Township, N.J., at the time and he recalled Tuesday how so many people stepped up for him and his family.
“They came out of the woodwork to help us,” he said. “It’s just really amazing to see the generosity of people.”
Woodland said it was a no-brainer for club members to come together to help Recchia, who also is out of work because of the COVID-19 crisis.
“We help each other, that’s what we do,” he said. “The motto of our club is, ‘We party with a purpose.’ People heard about what happened and just wanted to do something to help.”
Cody’s bartender Brian Mann, who has been quite busy helping Recchia and her children get back on their feet, offered plenty of praise for the Parrot Heads. He also organized highly successful drop-off efforts at all three Villages Cody’s locations this past Saturday and started a GoFundMe account that as of Tuesday afternoon had collected $37,358 from 500 donors. Click HERE to go the GoFundMe page.
“It’s been fantastic,” he said.
Mann said he’s seen the Parrot Heads in action when they hold fundraisers to collect backpacks and school supplies for area students.
“I’ve always loved that,” he said. “They help out more than any other organization around. I’m glad to see that they came out and helped her with this effort.”
Cody’s Owner/Operator Allen Musikantow agreed.
“They’re sensational,” he said. “They do this for a lot of people and a lot of organizations. They’re just a treasure to have in The Villages.”
As she mingled with several Parrot Heads members and looked back on this past week, Recchia said she never could have imagined the wonderful things that have happened to her since the devastating fire.
“Easter Sunday was a terrible day this year but it’s had such a great outcome from it,” he said. “The whole community gathering together and everybody just doing everything wonderful to help. Some people didn’t even know me and they’ve stepped up and been there for me and my family.”
