Leo Roozen honored at La Conner 'Magic of Rotary' dinner auction

It's rare to be the recipient of a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Award, presented to those who have made significant contributions to the organization's wide range of public service programs.

That being the case, local tulip grower Leo Roozen is doubly esteemed by area Rotarians.

Roozen received his second Paul Harris honor during the La Conner Rotary Club's annual dinner and auction at Maple Hall Saturday night. The chapter will contribute $1,000 in his name to their international organization.

"We're honoring Leo for his commitment to assisting our club with our annual tulip sale fundraiser," said Club President Audrey Gravley, who noted that Roozen had previously been feted with a Harris award – named for the original founder of Rotary – by Mount Vernon Rotarians.

"Our partnership with Washington Bulb Company, through Leo, has made 'all hands-on deck for the month of April' a workable and profitable enterprise for the Rotary Club of La Conner," Gravley said. "Without an affordable and plentiful supply of flowers, none of this could happen."

The local chapter funds and supports numerous literacy, education, community service and public health projects locally and internationally, including scholarship aid for La Conner High School seniors.

Washington Bulb, located five miles northeast of La Conner, is the largest domestic grower of cut tulips, daffodils and lilies and their bulbs and has been a Roozen family enterprise for two generations.

La Conner Rotary and Washington Bulb has proved an ideal match through the years, Gravley said.

Roozen concurred.

"This means a lot to me," he told the large turnout at Maple Hall upon receiving Harris award recognition from La Conner Rotary members. "My other Paul Harris award is in my office. This one will be in my home.

"This reminds me of what Rotary means," stressed Roozen. "Rotarians come together in common cause to achieve common goals. Rotarians have figured out that one profits most by serving best."

In addition to the award ceremony, the "Magic of Rotary" event featured silent and live auctions and a salmon and steak dinner catered by La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib.

Dinner server Kathy Squires, who previously served members for three decades at their weekly evening meetings at the Farmhouse Inn (now O'Donnell's American Grill and Irish Pub), received the largest applause of the night when she was introduced.

Auctioneer Paul Schenfeld, who has worked so many chapter auctions that he knew many bidders by name, kept the action moving fast, often generating more money for items than their listed retail values.

The Rotarians anticipated completing their tabulation of the event's total proceeds this week. As a measure of the traditional success of the club's dinner and auction, master of ceremonies John Milnor offered that "we believe Paul is closing in on the $1 million mark in money that he's raised for us."

While bidding was competitive, the Rotary creed of service above self was evident throughout. For instance, Kate and Brandon Atkinson, with the winning bid for a two-night stay at the Johnson-Bayse Traditional Farm Home, yielded their prize to the second highest bidder.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community master carver Kevin Paul was among the auction's donors, providing a painted salmon sculpture valued at $1,200. It went for $1,650.

"This represents our cultural way of being," Paul said of the handsome piece. "We're salmon people. It's like going home, like going upriver and represents a spirit of sharing. And that's what we're doing here tonight – sharing."

Adam McGarity, a past club president, alluded to the magical nature of Rotary in terms of its ability to raise funds for worthy causes, highlighted service in behalf of youth and the impoverished in Honduras, an agricultural Central American nation vulnerable to hurricanes and other natural disasters.

"It's not an illusion or any slight of hand," McGarity said. "The magic of Rotary is real."

McGarity then worked his own magic on the audience, imploring them to pledge financial support for their mission.

"Reach for the dead presidents in your wallets," he quipped, "and don't forget Mr. Franklin."

Auctioneer Schenfeld, in a classic case of role reversal, responded with a $100 pledge of his own.

"What impresses me the most when I come up here," Schenfeld explained, "is how passionate you are to help other people. La Conner Rotary has impacted the world."

Gravley told the La Conner school board Monday the auction raised over $90,000.