The Coeur d’Alene Rotary Club has launched its annual Rose Sale, the organization’s largest fundraising event, with a goal of selling 1,500 dozen roses and generating more than $50,000 for local scholarships and nonprofit grants. The kickoff took place during the club’s weekly meeting on Friday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, where members embraced a “Saddle Up” theme to drive enthusiasm for the campaign.
Fundraising Goals and Team Competition
Club leadership has set ambitious targets for this year’s campaign, aiming to match or exceed the previous year’s performance. In 2025, the sale broke records with 1,548 dozen roses sold, resulting in more than $55,000 in net proceeds. Co-chairs Ashley Lenz, Carla Cicero, and Jody Azevedo are hoping to see another record-breaking year as members split into competing teams.
To spur competition, the club divided members into squads led by captains, each vying for the title of top fundraiser. The winning team will receive a trophy, while the lowest-performing group faces a humorous penalty: receiving a decorated toilet seat. Paul Amador leads one of the squads, dubbed “The Floral Horsemen of the Rose-pocalypse.” Amador noted the playful nature of the competition, saying, “We’re the nicer, country cousin to the four horsemen of the apocalypse.”, as first reported by the Coeur d’Alene Press
Supporting Local Nonprofits and Students
Proceeds from the Rose Sale support scholarships for students and provide grants to various nonprofit organizations in Kootenai County. Previous recipients of these funds have included the Boys & Girls Club, the Museum of North Idaho, Safe Start, the Excel Foundation, and Cd’A Summer Theatre. This year’s contributions will be distributed to new recipients next year.
The sale has also served as a vehicle for community outreach. Last year, roses were donated to Kootenai Health nurses caring for new mothers and to patients at North Idaho Hospice. Co-chair Ashley Lenz reflected on the previous year’s success, stating, “Last year was kind of a record-breaking year.” She attributed the increase in sales to greater awareness among club members and the option to donate roses directly to nonprofits, as first reported by the Coeur d’Alene Press.
Purchasing Details and History
The Rose Sale was launched more than 20 years ago by late Paul Anderson, who served as Rotary Club president from 1990 to 1991. Today, it remains the club’s primary fundraising mechanism. Roses are available in red, pink, yellow, and orange, priced at $30 per dozen. Orders can be placed online through the club’s auction site.
For larger contributors, Patron Sponsors can donate $1,000 in exchange for 25 dozen roses. The deadline to place orders is October 15, with flower deliveries scheduled for October 23. Residents interested in supporting local causes or gifting flowers have until mid-October to participate in the campaign.