WINNER OF THE PRINCESS TROPHY
Most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under
Message from the Chair -
Raghada Khoury, PDG
2023 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee
As chair of the 2023 Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, I am excited and honored to invite you to join us for the 134th Rose Parade! Since 1980, we have proudly presented a float each parade, bringing our message of “Service Above Self” to over 40 million viewers annually.
Work is underway now on a design that will honor the Rotary International theme of “Imagine Rotary” alongside the Rose Parade theme of “Turning the Corner.” As President and Chairman of the Board of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association Amy Wainscott explains, the corner may be actual, or may be figurative, like the unlimited potential that each new year brings.
I invite you to be a part of this amazing experience, made more historic by the participation of our first woman Rotary International President, Jennifer E. Jones. As a float participant in the 2018 Rose Parade and Past District Governor of 5300 (2017-2018), I have experienced firsthand the wonder of accompanying our float and seeing more than 700,000 people on the parade route to enthusiastically greet us with “Happy New Year!” and “Thank you, Rotary!” Imagine watching the parade and being able to tell your friends and family which part of the float you decorated.
Here are a few ways that you can participate and support this important effort:
- Help decorate the float. Work hand-in-hand with Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors as we cover every inch of the float with flowers and other natural materials. This takes place in a large float barn, where you’ll see many other floats also being built. Sign-ups to help decorate are usually posted the second Saturday in September at 8 a.m. Pacific Time. It will be announced here and on our Facebook page.
- Donate. The cost of the float is supported by several Rotary districts and numerous clubs and individuals. Click HERE to support this important effort.
We appreciate your time and generosity. Your support will help us keep this meaningful tradition alive.
In Rotary Service,
Raghada Khoury
Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
Chair@rotaryfloat.org
Chair's Biography
Raghada Khoury was born in Jordan and raised in New York prior to relocating to California. She graduated from Azusa High School and has spent 32 years in Apple Valley. Raghada has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and has achieved a Master of Arts in Management in Business and HR from the University of Redlands. Raghada is the proud mother of her 33-year-old son Joseph
In 2003, Raghada was invited to a Rotary Club meeting and, like most, she wasn’t really sure what she was getting into. One year later, Rotary fellowship and service enriched her life in ways she can’t begin to measure. Breaking bread with community leaders who are passionate about the people we serve makes us all “People of Action”.
As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Apple Valley, she first served as President in 2009-10, then again in 2018-19. She has also served as Secretary, Club Foundation Chair, Youth Services Chair, Executive Assistant Governor, Governor’s Aide, GSE Team Leader to Jordan and Egypt, as well as many District Committee Chair positions. One of her personal favorites was serving as the District Grants Chair which allowed her to see the creativity of all District 5300 Clubs filling the needs of their respective communities.
Serving as District Governor in 2017-18 has augmented her love for Rotary International, Rotary Clubs and most importantly, her love for her fellow Rotarians. Rotary International has brought the world to her doorstep and has taken her to a world she never imagined she would see.
Jennifer Jones, 2022-23 Rotary International President
For more than 40-years, Rotary International has been thrilled to participate in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.
Each year the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee creates a world-class float that showcases Rotary – and with tens of millions of viewers, the Rose Parade is a great opportunity to elevate our message to communities far and wide.
As one of the most highly regarded global membership organizations, we are so proud of the service we provide: eradicating deadly disease, educating communities, providing clean water and sanitation, empowering girls to attain equality in their communities, and so much more.
We look forward to riding in this year’s parade and congratulate the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee for their creativity, commitment, and hard work.
Donations
About your Donation – Donations by Mail
Donors for the 2023 Float
Donations Received February 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023
About the Ambassador Program
The Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee Inc. presents “Serving with Imagination and Hope of our January 2, 2023, float.
Any Rotarian in good standing contributing $500 or more, can become a Float Ambassador at his or her request. She/He must pledge to advocate for support (monetary/volunteer) for the 2023 Float at their Rotary Club, District, Zone and any RI events they attend. If support materials needed they will be supplied upon timely request.
In exchange for their donation, they will receive the following:
- A personalized RRPFC jacket
- A patch of the 2023 Float
- The annual theme pin for the 2023 Float
- An official RRPFC hat in blue or yellow
- A raffle ticket to be a rider on the 2023 Float which is exclusive to Ambassadors only.
If you would like to be considered for an Ambassadorship contact Wade Nomura at wade@wadenomura.com
Allen, Myra
Buffington, Rod
Campbell, Lloyd
Cardenas, Dave
Ellis, Diane
Ellis, Patricia
Esbin, Lou
Gomez, Glenn
Grubb, Eric
Gump, Tom
Hernandez, Gene
Holve, Tama
Jones, Greg
Levy, Suzanne
Maltby, Marleen
McGrew-Thomason, Jennifer
Monterrosa, Malinda
Morgan, Ken
Nomura, Wade
Perry, Dwight
Phillips, Leo
Rosenberg, Adam
Rosenberg, Marti
Roslevege, Amy
Ross, debi
Roy, Lucie
Skaggs, Larry
Stephens, Walt
Thomas, Daniel
Vergari, Cozette
Wilson, Desiree
Apple Valley, CA
Castro Valley, CA
Delray Beach, FL
Granada Hills, CA
Los Angeles, CA (LA5)
Montebello, CA
Morinville Sturgeon, AB Canada
Oceanside, CA
Rialto Noon, CA
Santee-Lakeside, CA
Yucca Valley Sunset, CA
Public Zoom Meeting - Thursdays 10:00am - 10:20am PDT
Every Thursday the RRPFC holds a short Video Meeting for the public to join and ask us questions about the Float and our promotion of Rotary. It starts at 10:00am Pacific Time and ends at 10:20am or until questions are answered. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!!
Signup for Updates
on the Float
Raghada Khoury, Chair, 2023 Float
Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, Inc.
P.O. Box 92502
Pasadena, CA 91109-2502
chair@rotaryfloat.org
Float Builder
Phoenix Decorating Company