A royal kickoff

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

COEUR d'ALENE — The "supreme queen of roses" helped kicked off Coeur d'Alene Rotary's annual rose sale fundraiser in royal style on Friday.

The queen, Rotary president Jody Azevedo, made a grand appearance with her rose crown and personal float during the nonprofit's sale kickoff at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

The Rose Parade theme is intended to inspire her court of princesses — rose sale team captains — and other Rotarians to sell dozens of roses for $28 a bundle over the next three weeks, raising money for community needs ranging from youth scholarships to charities.

"I am your rose queen," a smiling Azevedo said while handing out single roses to club members during lunch. "Thank you for letting my float pass. It is rather wide, but efficient.

"It's such an honor to be the esteemed queen for the rose sale."

Azevedo, who grew up on a dairy farm and hadn't been a queen before, made the most of her royal moment.

"I guess I can also call myself the dairy queen," she said with a laugh.

The fundraiser takes on a different rose theme each year. For example, one year was "Guns and Roses."

"First and foremost, all of our club members have fun," Azevedo said. "We have a great Rose Sale Committee that has created some fun competition between the teams."

Those interested in purchasing a dozen roses — or more — should contact any Coeur d'Alene Rotary member by Oct. 17. They can also contact Lucinda Ade at 208-651-6164 or lbade48@gmail.com.

Roses will be delivered on Friday, Oct. 19, and Rotarians will distribute them to the buyers or recipients.

Available bouquet colors are red, yellow, orange and pink.

"They come with the personal touch of a Rotarian delivering them," Ade said.

The Rotary's rose sale has raised more than $800,000 in its 28-year history.

Rotarian Paul Anderson, who helped orchestrate the first sale, said the original fundraiser brought in more than $12,000.

"It's always wonderful to present them to a spouse as a surprise and see their eyes light up," Anderson said.

Ever since Anderson suggested to club members the idea of a rose sale after hearing about their popularity elsewhere, the fundraiser has blossomed.

Last year the sale raised nearly $45,000, setting a record for the seventh year in a row.

"It just keeps getting better and better," said Caryl Johnston, club spokeswoman. "We get to be a part of love stories."

Ade, who is spearheading the sale with Doug Rupiper, said the campaign is also a great "friend-raiser" for the club, as many rose recipients have not heard of Rotary.

"We think it's a great opportunity to meet new people," she said. "It's always fun to see the joy on people's faces."