On December 11, 2024, the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club members and Utah Valley University Rotaractors gathered for a festive Rotary Christmas Party at the UVU Sorensen Student Center, in room 206B. The event began at 12:15 PM and brought together Rotarians, along with Rotaractors, to celebrate the holiday season with laughter, community, and the spirit of giving.
Gifts for the Orem-Lindon Rotarians and Utah Valley University Rotaractors Christmas Party
As part of the moment, everyone brought along a white elephant gift to exchange, and this year, puzzles became an unexpectedly popular choice among the gifts. The gift exchange set the tone for a fun and memorable afternoon, with everyone eagerly anticipating the surprises that awaited them.
The real fun kicked off with the lively white elephant gift exchange. The rules were simple yet entertaining: participants could "steal" a gift from someone else if they liked it, forcing the original gift holder to select something else. This led to plenty of playful spirit of sharing, between different participants and created an atmosphere of laughter and excitement.
Mike Rich, President of the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club enjoys Christmas Party
A special rule kept the game fair and engaging: once a gift had been stolen three times, it was locked in and could no longer be taken. This added an element of strategy, as players tried to get their hands on the best gifts while avoiding having theirs stolen.
The event was more than just a fun game, it was an opportunity for Rotarians and Rotaractors to come together, share stories, and strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration. The presence of Rotaractors added to the vibrant energy of the event, reminding everyone of the importance of both leadership and service, qualities that are central to Rotary’s mission.
Rotarians and Rotaractors are assembling Hygiene kits for Tabitha's Way Food Pantry
Beyond the gift exchange, the party was a wonderful reminder of the power of community, generosity, and shared joy. During the party, Rotarians and Rotaractors also assembled 25 Hygiene kits for Tabitha’s Way Food pantry.
(L to R): Jim Lauret, Rotarian, Louyoko Nianza and Janessa-Michelle Purcell, UVU Rotaractors with Hygiene kits ready for Tabitha's Way Food Pantry
The Orem-Lindon Rotary Christmas Party brought people together, creating lasting memories and reinforcing the values of kindness and fellowship that define Rotary and Rotaract.
Louyoko Nianza Christ Hermes, Student In Political Science and UVU Rotaract president based in Utah /USA
About the author: Louyoko Nianza, hailing from the Congo, is currently pursuing his education in political science in the United States. With a deep commitment to fostering transformative leadership, Louyoko is the proponent of "smart-africanism," a concept he envisions as the cornerstone for a new era of true leadership in Africa and a UVU Rotaract president . His academic pursuits and innovative ideas aim to inspire and cultivate a generation of leaders dedicated to the advancement and prosperity of the African continent.
