COEUR d’ALENE — Just like in the Brooks and Dunn song "Play Something Country," Coeur d'Alene Rotary President Heidi Rogers "blew through the door like TNT."

The song twanged through the speakers in the Shore Room of The Coeur d'Alene Resort as Rogers, clad in cowgirl hat and fringed chaps, do-si-doed her way to the front of the room as fellow Rotarians laughed and cheered.

This rootin'-tootin' rowdy Rotary rodeo queen had just one message for her peers and for the entire community: It's Rotary Rose Sale time.

"My horse is out back on the helicopter pad," Rogers jested Friday after being crowned "rodeo rose queen of the year" by Rose Sale co-chair Kimber Gates.

The 26th annual Rotary Rose Sale commenced Friday with a Wild West theme chosen by Rogers, who is a cowgirl at heart.

"I grew up on a large ranch in Oklahoma and was inspired to dig out my cowboy boots, dust off my hat and have some fun selling roses," Rogers said.

The benefits of the Rotary Rose Sale are twofold — someone's day is brightened when they receive a dozen long-stem roses on delivery day and all of the proceeds from the sale benefit a variety of charitable organizations and causes within the community. In the past, Rose Sale funds have helped support the Boys and Girls Club, college scholarships, the Coeur d'Alene food bank, the Kroc Center, Polio Plus, Specialized Needs Recreation and many more.

In the last five years, the Rose Sale has pulled in nearly $400,000. And along with monetarily supporting these causes, many times roses are delivered to those who utilize their services, such as clients of Tesh., Inc., St. Vincent de Paul and Union Gospel Mission.

"The Coeur d'Alene Rotary Rose Day has become an annual local celebratory holiday," Rogers said. "I want to encourage everyone to be generous and buy a dozen roses for someone they love or would like to show appreciation toward."

The roses come in a variety of colors, from deep red to peach to bright fuchsia. Last year, 1,150 dozen roses were sold and delivered to nearly 14,000 people, raising more than $35,000.

"The Rose Sale is the best fundraiser of the year because it is so cheerful and celebratory," Gates said. "There are many people who purchase the roses and give them to local charities as well. People absolutely love the surprise. Many of the people who receive roses have no idea that they are getting them, so it is truly a wonderful way to brighten people’s day."

In keeping with the Western theme and inviting friendly competition, the Rotarians have been split into cleverly named teams, such as the "Jolly Ranchers," the "Infamous Bucktooth Broncos" and the "Rodeo Clowns." They'll actively be peddling their petaled wares throughout the community until the sale closes.

"Building a culture of community service in Coeur d'Alene, I've realized, takes many hands working together," Rogers said. "This is why now more than ever I see our community joining forces to build a momentum of taking care of the place where we live, learn, work and play."

Rotary Rose Sale roses are $28 per dozen and will be available early Oct. 19. To order roses, contact Katie Hunt, 818-0300, or email [email protected].