Orem-Lindon Rotary and UVU Rotaractors Hold Annual California Orange Fundraiser
The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club and Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaractors held their
annual fundraiser in early February 2022
The flier used by the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club advertised their fundraiser
The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club and Utah Valley University (UVU) Rotaractors held their annual fundraiser in early February 2022. This fundraiser delivers fresh-picked California oranges to local community members in the midst of winter. Orem Lindon Rotarians were quick to answer the call to raise funds and with help from the local community, the Rotary Club was able to sell 275 boxes with oranges and raise $5,500. Among the champions of this service project, Rotarian Spenser Mack was able to sell 62 and Rotarian Dean Robinson sold 60 boxes with oranges. Rotaractors made their own contribution by selling 17 boxes.The money raised will help to fund initiatives such as the yearly Coats for Kids campaign of the Orem-Lindon Rotary by providing high-quality coats to disadvantaged youth within the Orem Community and securing UVU Rotaractors participation at the 66th session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York on March 21, 2022
Oranges are unloaded by Orem-Lindon Rotarians on February 22, 2022
The UVU Rotaractors, a student club at Utah Valley University that works closely with the Orem-Lindon Rotary club, were eager to do their part. The flier was distributed to family and friends. Not only did it provide extra funds to the fundraiser, but it also helped to spread the message of the Rotary club. Together, the Orem Rotarians and UVU Rotaractors provide service to others and promote the Rotary values of integrity, peace, and goodwill.
Emily Johnson, a community member excited by the arrival of her box of oranges
Orem, Utah lies within the Wasatch Mountain range. Even though Utah is a leader in sustainable mountain development, the residents still experience many of the challenges of mountain regions: high susceptibility to drought and climate change, higher rates of poverty, and a quarter of income coming from agriculture. As a fellow Rotaractor, I have seen the power and hope these funds have given to the Orem-Lindon community. In Orem Utah, 17% of elementary children live in poverty. The Orem-Lindon Rotary club provided over 200 coats to these children in 2021, days before a large snowstorm hit the area. As the Coronavirus pandemic was still affecting the region, this gave children more than protection from the elements but protected their health as well.
As a non-traditional student and mother of 5, I am always grateful to be able to work alongside Orem-Lindon President Dean Hillstead, and Rotarian Choplon Akmatalieva to continue the tradition to help children and families within the Orem Region. I hope we can continue to hold service projects together to provide continued support to our local community.
Alitha Thompson, UVU Rotaractor and Vice-President of the Utah International Mountain Forum, a coalition of student clubs at UVU.