Continuing an Annual Tradition

One of the High Country’s most popular community fundraisers, the annual fruit sale sponsored by the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club, kicks off this week.

The club is taking orders for fresh citrus from Indian River Groves through Nov. 13, and fruit orders will be shipped to Boone for distribution to customers Dec. 13 to 16.

The annual sale is a longstanding annual tradition for the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club, which has enjoyed its partnership with the Indian River fruit growers for many years. Naval oranges, ruby red grapefruit, Hamlin juice oranges, tangelos and mixed boxes are available.

Susan Pettyjohn, fundraising chairwoman for Boone Sunrise Rotary, said the fruit sale offers community members access to quality citrus fruit for the holidays, while, at the same time, providing an opportunity to give back to the community.

“Funds raised by the annual fruit sale support important projects, such as college scholarships for Watauga High School and Caldwell Community College students, free dictionary distributions to students across Watauga County, support for Hospitality House and Alzheimer’s Disease research,” she said. “Several important international efforts are also supported with these funds, including efforts to eliminate polio worldwide and the Shelter Box Program, which provides temporary shelter for victims of natural disasters around the world.”

Florida’s perfect blend of soil, temperature and moisture provides the climate for what many consider to be the “best in the world” citrus. The fruit is harvested by Florida Indian River Groves and delivered fresh to the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club. When stored in a cool location, Pettyjohn said, it stays fresh longer and provides a healthy and delicious “ray of sunshine” through the winter months. For many, she added, the fruit is a popular holiday gift.

The boxed citrus fruit is available in small and large case sizes. Prices are $25 per small case and $35 per large case. Cases of mixed fruit (grapefruit and naval oranges) are available for $27 per small case and $37 per large case. Small cases weigh approximately 20 pounds, and large cases weigh approximately 40 lbs.

Once delivered, the fruit orders are stored at Legends on the Appalachian State University campus, where it can be picked up on the following dates: Dec. 13 (1 to 5:30 p.m.), Dec. 14 (1 to 5:30 p.m.), Dec. 15, (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.), and Dec. 16 (1 to 4 p.m.).

“Many of our annual buyers return to us year after year to purchase the citrus fruit,” said Roger Wright, president of Boone Sunrise Rotary. “We look forward to a successful fundraiser once again and will continue to put the funds to good use in addressing critical needs in our community.”

To order citrus fruit online with a credit card, visit http://www.fruitorder.com. Click on “order now” and, when promoted to enter an organization number, enter the ID number for the Boone Sunrise Rotary: 729293. Members of the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club are also available to assist prospective buyers with their orders. For more information, call (828) 262-2207.