COEUR d'ALENE - Serving others is a bed of roses for the Rotary Club of Coeur d'Alene.

The community service organization launched its annual Rotary Rose Sale on Friday. The sale is in its 24th year and has raised more than $500,000 for local and international organizations.

Club member Paul Anderson of Coeur d'Alene helped the sale blossom into what it is today. He served as Rotary president from 1990 to 1991. In that time, he planted the seed for the floral fundraiser.

"Frankly, we had never done anything like this," Anderson said. "We were a knife, fork and checkbook club."

Anderson said he garnered inspiration from serving as president of Lions and Kiwanis clubs.

"Those clubs got in and did things," he said. "So I thought, 'You know, I'd like to do something in this club.'"

That first year, the sale brought in $12,000.

"It's amazing how far that money goes," said Lucinda Ade of Hayden. Ade has been the chair of the rose sale since 1997. She she joined the rose sale committee when she was a new Rotarian, and enjoyed it so much she was asked to come back as the chairperson.

"Every year it's like having a baby again," Ade said. "I look at this and I just can't believe it's really happening."

The commencement meeting took place in a bay of the Coeur d'Alene Resort. Rotary members wore tropical garb to match this year's Hawaiian theme, complete with fresh floral haku leis sent in from the islands. Ade said she has worked to make the rose sale something everyone can have fun doing.

"We've done it with a smile on our faces," she said.

Anderson said he really enjoys the enthusiasm that comes with the delivery of the flowers, which are given to recipients by Rotary members.

"I think that is the most exciting thing," he said.

He said another great thing about the rose sale is to see all the wonderful things that happen in the community. Two years ago, the club decided to include local charities on its list of rose recipients. Rotary members can send bouquets to organizations such as Hospice, Union Gospel Mission, the Women's Center Shelter or seven others.

"Some of the stories we've gotten back from these is heartwarming," Ade said. "One woman burst into tears and she said, 'In my whole entire life, no one has ever given me flowers, and this is the first time.' And I still get goosebumps when I think about that."

Funds from the Rotary Rose Sale will be dispersed to several charities, organizations and local projects. A portion of this year's profits will go to constructing and establishing the Harbor House, which will be a part of the finished McEuen Park project.

The roses come in a variety of colors and are $28 per dozen. Of that cost, $18 is tax deductible. Orders are due by Oct. 4 and will be hand-delivered Oct. 18.

Information: www.coeurdalenerotary.org