Orem-Lindon Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors Provide Coats for Elementary Schools in Orem

                 During the first week of December 2021, members of the Orem-Lindon Rotary club and Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaractors participated in the traditional service project, Coats for Kids. Under this initiative, they traditionally raise funds and then purchase new coats to elementary school children in Orem and Lindon whose families do not have the financial means to provide them. This initiative has been one of the most important projects to serve local communities for members of the Orem-Lindon Rotary since 2012. Members of the UVU Rotaracts contributed their own funds to purchase new coats for children which they raised during 2021 and in particular, by selling oranges from California during spring 2021. 

 

L to R: Byan Alghanmi, Cholpon Akmatalieva, Penelope Thompson, Callum Thompson, Lynn Hillstead, and Alitha Thompson are ready to deliver coats at Windsor Elementary School.

                 Since 2012, the amount of coats donated by members of the Orem Rotary is represented by data below. In September 2021, the Orem Rotary continues this initiative under the new name of the Orem-Lindon Rotary.

 

2012  - 37 coats and 3 schools          2013 – 126 coats and 9 schools      2014 – 125 coats and 7 schools    2015 – 176 coats and 7 schools

2016 – 177 coats and 7 schools       2017 – 221 coats and 7 schools     2018 – 174 coats and 6 schools     2019 – 142 coats and 4 schools

2020 – 153 coats and 7 schools       2021 – 213 coats and 6 schools

 

                Orem-Lindon Rotary members together with the UVU Rotaractors raised over $3,300, which was enough to purchase 213 coats to meet the needs of 6 elementary schools in the Orem area. On December 3rd, 2021, before the change of the weather and expected the beginning of next week snow, as part of established tradition Orem-Lindon Rotarians jointly with UVU Rotaractors delivered coats to the schools: 47 coats to Noah Webster Academy, 4 coats to Westmore Elementary, 52 coats to Windsor Elementary, 35 coats to Cherry Hill Elementary, 16 coats to Orem Elementary, and 59 coats to Sharon Elementary.

                  Due to the restrictions related to COVID-19, Rotarians met with the principals of schools, and were touched by the gratitude expressed. As they presented the coats to the schools, the group talked with each principal, and each described the process they use to present a new coat to a child in need. Without exception, they were all so grateful to be able to discreetly present a new coat to children in need.

L to R: Alitha Thompson, Callum Thompson, Cholpon Akmatalieva, Baktybek Abdrisaev, Penelope Thompson, Byan Alghanmi, Lynn Hillstead, deliver coats at Sharon Elementary School to Principal Alicia DeMill

 

President of Orem-Lindon Rotary Lynn Hillstead led the group during the visit to schools. He was accompanied by Rotarian Cholpon Akmatalieva and Baktybek Abdrisaev as well as Alitha Thompson, UVU Rotaractors and the president of the Foreign Affairs club at UVU and me. Alitha, as a non-traditional student and mother of 5 children, was accompanied by her 5 years old daughter Penelope Thompson and 3 years old son Callum Thompson. Alitha also contributed funds herself to purchase 5 coats for the children. During the visit to Sharon Elementary School, the group delivered 59 coats: 29 coats for girls and 30 coats for boys.

 

            Orem Rotary members with UVU Rotaractors present coats to the principal of the Cherry Hill Elementary School, Kerri Hundley

 

During the visit to Cherry Hill Elementary school, joint Orem-Lindon Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors group presented to the principal 35 coats for students: 19 coats for girls and 16 coats for boys.

Orem-Lindon  Rotary members with UVU Rotaractors present coats to a Representative at Windsor Elementary School, Venessa Colorado

 

During the visit to Windsor Elementary School, the president of Orem-Lindon Rotary Lynn Hillstead, on behalf of members of delegation and Rotarians and Rotaractors, delivered to the representative of Windsor Elementary School Venessa Colorado 52 coats: 23 coats for girls and 29 coats for boys.

 

This was a great and important opportunity for Orem-Lindon Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors to serve local communities and in particular to those who are in need of help. 

 

Byan Alghanmi, UVU Sustainable Mountain Development Club

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FEEDBACK FROM SCHOOLS

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21-12-07-From Doug Wilkins-Noah Webster Academy Gratitude 

 

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Utah District Newsletter About Project

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