Student Contribution to Orem-Lindon Rotary 2021 World Polio Service Project

            On October 23, 2021, the Lindon-Orem Rotary club helped Lindon city prepare the grounds for the fast-approaching winter. The day before was beautiful weather, so we were expecting that Saturday to be decent. Unfortunately, the weather was cold and rainy, but everyone worked hard. The Rotary club, UVU Rotaract club, UVU Foreign Affairs club, and their families showed up with rakes and garbage bags. With over 24 people, including children, the work went quickly, and we were able to finish the project before the rain began to pour.

Clark Merkley, Orem-Lindon Rotarian encouraging 3 of the 5 grandchildren present.

The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club demonstrated their motto “Service above Self.” Despite the weather, each member gave their whole self to the project. They pushed through every challenge to ensure the project was completed.

The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club President, Lynn Hillstead, was an example of a perfect leader. He monitored the project along with contributing to the work. On top of  monitoring the weather and handing out assignments and tools, Mr. Hillstead helped each assigned area. He was attentive of the members' needs and made each participant feel welcome and needed.

Clark Merkley, Orem-Lindon past President, brought with him 5 grandchildren, who were enthusiastic to combine cleaning the areas with having fun playing with leaves despite the rainy weather.   He encouraged each child and empowered them to participate to the full of their ability. Even the youngest, whose rake was twice his height, worked hard.

( L to R) Orem-Lindon Rotarians Keith Morgan and Lori Robinsonfilling up garbage bag

Dr. Baktybek Abdrisaev and his wife, Cholpon Akmatalieva, were also in attendance. As the mentor of the UVU Rotaract Club, Dr. Abdrisaev continued to guide the Rotaractors to provide quality service to the city and Rotary club. 

Dr. Rusty Butler, head of the Russian Academy of Science, worked alongside the Rotarians to promote World Polio Day. His positive personality helped the dreary day to feel bright.

Amy Barnett represented the UVU Office of Global Engagement with all her charm and experience. She did the service project in the same way as her work with Global Engagement, efficient and with enthusiasm.

( L to R) Clark Merkley Orem-Lindon Rotarian with grandson and Lynn Hillstead, Orem-Lindon Rotary club President, working together to gather leaves.

           Personally, I brought my oldest daughter, age 11, and my two younger children, age 5 and 3. I wanted them to learn the value of hard work and the lesson of working hard to make the world a better place. My oldest worked hard to sweep all the leaves off the sidewalk into a pile while I removed the leaves from the flowerbed. Even though it was cold, watching my youngest jump in the piles of leaves was fun. It reminded me it is important to be efficient, but we must always take a moment to enjoy the little moments.

Rotarians and Rotaractor at work 

            We were assigned the garden area by the Rotary President, Lynn Hillstead. I appreciated his attentiveness. He reassured each member that their health was more important than the project, which would be cancelled if the rain began to pour.

I enjoyed talking to him about our respective histories. We both grew up in rural areas and were able to compare our experiences. The cold reminded both of us of those early mornings working on the farm. I was impressed with how easily he made me feel comfortable and a welcome part to the project.

My daughter, Inara, and I while my youngest, Callum, is jumping in the leaves.

            As we finished putting our piles of leaves into trash bags, I sent the kids into the car to warm up and went to help the rest of the clubs on the far side of the grounds. I met a wonderful Rotarian, Mike Rich. He tackled the project with energy and enthusiasm.  I enjoyed talking to him about the benefits vs. challenges of working from home. Covid has changed many facets of remote work. I believe it has made the work/life balance easier. More people understand that family is essential, and sometimes, they interrupt. As a mom, this has brought hope to my own dreams.

           ( L to R) Dr. Rusty Butler, Amy Barnett, from the UVU Office for Global Engagement and Akmatalieva Cholpon Rotarian, filled up the last available garbage bag.

            We finished the project with doughnuts that President Hillstead kindly provided. It was a little embarrassing to have my youngest, who was warming up in the car, come out with no pants. The group was very understanding, and we quickly wrapped him up in a blanket. Cholpon Akmatalieva, another Rotary member, was very kind and accepting of my children. She taught me that if a child’s nose is cold, the rest of them is cold. Now, I find myself checking every time we are outside. I always enjoy talking to her during Rotary meetings because her life has been a fantastic adventure. 

( L to R): DJ.Smith, Earl Bruce, Orem-Lindon Rotary club members, Orem-Lindon Rotary President Lynn Hillstead, and UVU Rotaract Club President Dylan Tweed share doughnuts to celebrate the successful completion of the service project.

           It was a great project. The members of the Rotary club are always kind and willing to share their experiences. I have learned many life lessons from their stories. It is always uplifting to make a difference in the world, even if that difference is slight. I hope our service relieved stress from the city workers and brought beauty to our corner of the world.

(L to R) Rotarian Mike Rich, Rotarian Akmatalieva Cholpon, Rotarian Lori Robinson,  Rotaractor Alitha Thompson, Rotarian DJ.Smith, and Rotaractor Kory Armitstead after finishing the service project

 

                              Alitha Thompson, President of the UVU Foreign Affairs club and UVU Rotaractor