STEUBENVILLE — For those who like to give or those who love to receive the gift of roses, now is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the gesture.

Because with each and every dozen sold, those profits go directly toward helping one local organization give back to its community.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Steubenville are once again selling roses — an annual fundraising event that has been a tradition of the club for approximately 60 years.

According to Kiwanis secretary and treasurer Tom Timmons, he is unable to recall exactly when the rose sale began.

However, Kiwanian Paul Brandt stated he joined the organization in 1968, and at that time, the club had already been selling the roses for approximately a decade.

Whatever the number of years may be, the sale has continued to grow with the passage of time.

The weeks-long sale of the popular flower is the group’s largest money-making activity of the year.

“This is our largest fundraiser of the year and we use all of the profits to support our youth and community endeavors,” Timmons stated. “We are very proud to sponsor three Key Clubs, including those at Steubenville, Catholic Central and Indian Creek high schools.”

The long-stemmed roses will be sold by the dozen at the cost of $20.

The deadline to order is Sept. 18.

Although a certain color cannot be guaranteed, Timmons said, “The purchaser can request a certain color and we will do our best to take care of their request.”

He noted the roses will come in various colors, and are to be delivered on Sept. 23 throughout the day.

Deliveries will be made locally, including to the areas of Bloomingdale, Brilliant, Follansbee, Wellsburg, Wintersville, Toronto, Steubenville and Richmond.

Flowers will be delivered by a Kiwanis member to the address that is specified when ordering, whether it be a residence or local business.

For those who do not want their order delivered, pickup will be available.

Roses can be picked up at the Urban Mission Ministries warehouse, located across from the Herald-Star parking lot, at 311 N. Sixth St.

Roses are being sold by any Kiwanis member, including Timmons, who can be reached for orders by calling or texting (740) 314-9574.