On October 1, 2025, the Orem-Lindon Rotarians and Utah Valley University Rotaractors held traditional lunch followed by the delivery of coats to the local elementary schools. During the lunch, Rotarians, such as Sheryl Merkley shared news about the club’s 50th anniversary celebration scheduled for November 10 at the Orem Senior Center, with casual business attire, 70s music, and a special address from our district governor, Suzanne Leonelli. Other highlights included upcoming projects such as the Rotary Shark Pond international project presentations and World Polio Day observation on October 23rd, 2025.
Orem-Lindon Rotary Club Members and UVU Rotaractors Deliver Coats To Local Schools.
Following the lunch, several members of Orem Lindon Rotary club, including Sheryl Merkley, Debby Lauret, Cherise Anthon Armstrong and those from UVU
Rotaract club like: Roland Kabongo, Erynn Lammi, and myself, participated in a hands-on service project delivering coats to students at local elementary schools.
Photo of Orem-Lindon Rotary Club Members and UVU Rotaract club Members in Action To serve Elementary schools.
Our visits included Westmore Elementary and Orem Elementary, where we provided warm coats to children in need. This initiative specifically supports students and families from refugee, low-income, and homeless backgrounds as they prepare for the colder months.
Our coat donations are part of a larger community effort coordinated with school outreach programs and food pantries. Alyson Madsen, the community outreach coordinator at Westmore Elementary, explained that schools with coordinators like herself have partnerships with food banks and organize donations by size. If there is a mismatch, for example, an adult coat at a school where only children need it, they swap items to ensure all students are properly served. This approach also ensures that parents, who often prioritize their children, are not left without needed items.
Photo of Club Members and students: Sheryl Merkley, Kabongo, Debby Lauret, Erynn Lammi, Cherryl, & staff from Westmore, including Alyson Madsen
Currently, the program serves five Title I schools, down from seven previously. At Westmore Elementary, the outreach program helps 195 students, including 95 students receiving free or reduced lunch (75% of the student body), 170 students supported by the Backpack Club, new-to-country families, and four homeless families totaling 10 children (McKinney-Vento program). Donations are coordinated so that both students and their families are adequately supported, including essentials like coats, socks, underwear, pants, scarves, and gloves.
Group Photo of Orem-Lindon Rotary club members, Rotaract members with school coordinators and students from Orem Elementary school.
Since the beginning of this year, the Orem-Lindon Rotary Club and UVU Rotaract club both have contributed to over 100 coats, ranging from children’s sizes to adult sizes, helping ensure families are prepared for winter. Many of the students served are from diverse backgrounds, including refugee and new-to-country families. Special care is taken to select high-quality items, including brand-name items like Adidas, to make students feel valued and confident.
The day was not only a meaningful service opportunity but also a reminder of the deep connections within our community. It was inspiring to see Rotary members actively engage with schools, coordinate with local outreach leaders, and make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families.
The Orem-Lindon Rotary Club’s lunch and service activities exemplify its mission: fostering fellowship while serving the community. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our members and partners who make these initiatives possible, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of giving, connection, and impact.
By Louyoko Nianza Christ Hermes, Student In political Science and Rotaract based in Utah /USA
Louyoko Nianza, originally from Africa (Republic of Congo), is currently pursuing his studies in political science in the United States. With a deep commitment to fostering transformative leadership, he is the proponent of “smart-africanism,” a concept he envisions as the cornerstone of a new era of authentic leadership in Africa. His academic pursuits and innovative ideas aim to inspire and cultivate a generation of leaders dedicated to advancing the prosperity and unity of the African continent. Beyond academia, Louyoko has distinguished himself as a passionate advocate for mountain communities both in Utah (USA) and in Africa, particularly among women and girls, the most vulnerable and often the most overlooked. His tireless efforts to raise awareness about their struggles and highlight opportunities for empowerment led him to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations, where he represented their voices on the global stage.
A Visionary Rotaractor, Louyoko blends his leadership within Rotary youth programs with his advocacy for marginalized populations, working to bridge local realities with global solutions.
