Fundraising underway for Battle Ground rose float

Posted

Fundraising efforts have begun in support of this year’s Battle Ground rose float, an entry in the Portland Grand Floral Parade which is set for Sat., June 8.

Donations are invited to help pay for the annual project, which costs about $16,000 each year.

“Party Island” is the theme of this year’s Battle Ground float. The theme follows the Portland parade theme which is “Portland’s Party.”

The Battle Ground float will feature a walrus in a tiki hut on a beach with tropical vegetation and exotic birds.

Sandy Helyer, president of the Rose Float Board of Directors, said decorations will include the use of corn husks, bamboo, ferns and exotic flowers. Crews will create seed-covered toucans, flamingos and parrots. Green roses will also be used, she said, and the float will feature several large bouquets.

Decoration work has begun, said Helyer, and more volunteers are always welcome with no experience necessary.

Volunteers are invited to help during work hours, which are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 1-4 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., at the Battle Ground Flex Building, located at 1308 SE Grace Ave., Battle Ground.

The float is accompanied in the parade each year by a band from either Battle Ground or Prairie high school. In addition, four princesses from high schools in the Battle Ground School District ride the float in the parade and make other appearances. Members of this year’s rose float court are Lauren Harris, Danica Drinkward, Katie Wright and Sydney Roeske.

Battle Ground has participated in the Portland parade every year since 1955.



Last year’s float cost about $15,500, which included nearly $8,000 for flowers and construction materials. The rose float volunteer group paid the City of Battle Ground about $2,588 for use of the building in which the float was constructed.

Funding for the project comes from several sources. The sale of fireworks at the Fourth of July raised over $5,000 for the float project last year.

Citizens and businesses donate money for the project in a program called Royal Order of Selected Enthusiasts (R.O.S.E.). Last year, such donations raised about $6,200. Those donating were recognized in a photo brochure that has been distributed throughout Battle Ground.

Donations to the R.O.S.E. program are now being sought at $100 per person.

Kym and Jim Martin donated $1,500 last year and were recognized as “Golden R.O.S.E.” members.

Those donating $100 were: Kelly and Kelly Achen, Ken and Katy Root, Darrell and Peggy McClellen, Bonnie Walden of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Marlene Brown, Sharon Sorenson of Battle Ground Auto License, Bev and Don Brissler of Coldwell Banker United Properties, Kyle and Mavis Nickels, Steve and Nancy Dail Sr., Bill and Brenda Ganley, Don and Jane Higgins, C.W. “Mac” McConnell, Pat Stanfield, LeRoy and Sandy Helyer, Jill Kurtz of Jackson Jackson and Kurtz law firm, Chuck and Esther Kessinger, Rodger and RuthAnne Lance, Denton and Barbara Harlan of Layne’s Funeral Home, Mary Jo Lewis, Dave Miller of Miller Farmers Insurance, Bob and Jane Brink of Pomeroy Living History Farm, Robert Rose and Karl Rose of Rose Family Dental, David and Barbara Rowe, Dr. Shonny Bria of Battle Ground Public Schools, Marvin and Anne Case, Bill and Louise Tucker, Bob and Ruthie Brown, Nils and Patsy Wiwel, Kevin and Deana Morse of Elite Collision Center, John and Lynda Idsinga of Keller Williams Realty, Jan Stockton of Stockton & Associates, PC., Steve and Kathy Streissguth, Barbara Evans, Cynthia Adams, Steve Meier of Battle Ground Kiwanis Club, Steve and Kay Burnett of Battle Ground Mini Storage, Mike and Gilda Ciraulo, George and Florence Delvo, Rex and Evelyn Holverson, Dennis Pavlina and Carmen Villarma of The Management Group, Keith and Mona Painter, Elie and Nayla Kassab of Battle Ground Cinema, Steve Walker of The Reflector, Bob Foster and Kayla Tiano, Peggy and Kenneth Kirkman, Elaine Hertz, Judy Pashon, Sally Morris, Larry Bryant, and Eldon and Pam Church.

Those willing to donate $250-499 will be recognized as Silver Rose members.

Anyone willing to donate $100 or more to this year’s Battle Ground float project is urged to call Louise Tucker, (360) 687-3619, or email Louise Tucker at blt@pacifier.com, or Marvin Case, (360) 687-4122, or email Marvin Case at marvincase@msn.com

Information about volunteering to work on the float is available by calling Sandy Hel-yer, (360) 666-1469.