Danny Bentley, Orem Rotarian sets up for the event
On Saturday, June 11th, 2022, the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University (UVU), including UVU Rotaract and Foreign Affairs clubs, assisted Orem-Lindon Rotary in putting on their annual Summerfest pancake breakfast fundraiser. The pancake breakfast has been a long-standing tradition of Orem-Lindon Rotary that we were able to help continue through our volunteer efforts. It is held during Orem Summerfest, a city-sponsored ‘fair.’ The breakfast raises needed funds that the Rotary club utilizes for service projects ultimately being funneled back into the local mountain community. Service projects are tailored to help mountainous families including yearly projects like Coats for Kids which provides impoverished elementary kids with winter coats.
(L to R): Alitha Thompson and Orem-Lindon Rotarian volunteer during breakfast
A total of 26 volunteers made up of the Rotarians, Rotaractors, UIMF members, and their families met at the Rotary Pavilion in the Orem City Center Park at 7 am to begin preparations. The food and many of the supplies were provided by the Orem-Lindon Rotary club and Orem SCERA. The first things that we needed to do were to set up all the equipment and prepare the tables. Proper hygiene and food handling were adhered to closely. Proper planning and preparation are imperative to hosting a successful event.
(L to R): Scott Thompson, UVU Rotaractor and Danny Bentley, Orem-Lindon Rotarian prepare pancakes
Following the basic preparations, Lynn Hillstead, current President of Orem-Lindon Rotary, gathered everyone around and thanked them for being here then turned the time to Dean Robinson, Rotarian, to explain the process of the food line so that all would understand and be able to help maintain good service. We were then separated into our different responsibilities and stations. It is important that every person knows their job and would be able to perform their function. This kept the line running smoothly despite serving over 360 individuals during the two hours of the event from 8am to 10am.
Attendees, families from Orem enjoy breakfast
Among the designated responsibilities, there were people in charge of being cooks, taking payments and admitting the public, serving, and various other supportive tasks. I was personally in charge of filling and handing out drinks. I went through many gallons of chocolate milk, ‘regular’ white milk, a couple 5-gallon jugs of orange ‘tang,’ and numerous pitchers of water. UVU Rotaract Vice President, Alitha Thompson and her husband, Scott Thompson, helped to top the pancakes with syrup, whip cream, and berries. , Rotarian, dedicated the hour to making multiple batches of homemade buttermilk syrup. While many other Rotarians worked 3 grills to make pancakes. There were times that we would have to help each other out due to the immense crowds, but we were able to collectively keep pace with the high demand.
(L to R): Alitha Thompson, UVU Rotaractor and her husband Scott Thompson volunteer during breakfast
This year, a record number of people from the local community came to support, raising a total net of $1700 through this initiative. This event was very successful, and the help provided by UVU students through our respective organizations under the UIMF enabled it to be so. As a coalition, it is important that we support one another in our initiatives, and work closely with Rotary International. Furthermore, as student leaders, it is key that we lead by example through our Student-Engaged Learning model (SEL). SEL is where students work as a group to solve real-world issues, with a faculty member serving as a mentor. We were able to do both today as we have on occasions past and will continue to do so in the near future.
-Dallas Karren, UIMF President
STUDENT FREFLECTIVE ESSAYS:
***
22-07-01-Alitha Thompson-UVU Rotaractors volunteer in Orem-Lindon Rotary Yearly Fundraiser
***
UTAH DISTRICT ROTARY NEWSLETTER
***
22-07-01-July Utah Rotary Newsletter About Summerfest Breakfast
***
