Rotary's roses help others
<p>Heather Wichman, manager for Pioneer Title, picks up several dozen roses for delivery Friday at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. The Coeur d'Alene Rotary Club handed out more than 900 dozen roses that were pre-sold by r members as part of the organization's largest fundraisers for the year. The club has handed out nearly $500,000 to various charities over the past five years.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Delivery of 900 dozen roses got under way Friday.
Coeur d'Alene Rotarians raised a record $33,000 through the annual fundraiser.
Members of the organization picked up their ordered roses at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, then delivered them. They went to businesses, school and homes, as well as shelters and to the elderly.
The top seller sold 46 dozen.
"We make it fun for the community," said Lucinda Ade, co-chair along with Patty Shea. "We're spreading happiness."
Proceeds from the sale benefit community projects, local scholarships, local youth groups, and many long-term Rotary commitments such as the downtown summer concert series.
Members also volunteer locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and promote peace.
This year, 178 Rotarians sold the roses at $25 a dozen.
"Not only are people buying roses to make others feel good, they're helping Rotarians carry out projects that benefit the community," Ade said.
Rotarians make the fundraiser into a fun contest between teams, as each of them try to avoid the "decorated toilet seat award" for selling the fewest roses.