Special THANKS to every donor, fundraiser, church, team, and event sponsor for your support. Let’s work together to reach $100,000 this year. And thanks.
If you run and/or own a business — you also may become a Hunger Hike Event Sponsor. If interested, email hungerhike@lumserve.org for more information.
It is also a time to reflect on the positive impact that LUM has had on the families, children and individuals in our community. So far this year, 3,160 different low-income households have been served by Lafayette Urban Ministry. LUM has nurtured and educated children, sheltered families, fed the hungry, helped the homeless become self-sufficient, supported the legal immigrant — by giving HOPE & HELP to the often faceless and voiceless.
Here is a better snapshot of LUM’s impact to date:
All of this is due to the faithful work carried on every day and night by Lafayette Urban Ministry.
Thanks to your friendship and generous support, LUM continues to make our community a better place for all of its citizens. Please remember LUM through the remainder of 2019 by participating in one of our upcoming events, volunteering, or by giving a financial gift! God bless you for all you do that allows LUM to make a difference with the families in our community.
Autumn is approaching and the days are getting shorter, but there is still hope that solar energy will be good. The LUM Solar Energy Initiative launched about eight months ago, and to date, the LUM Office building has generated over $3,902 worth of electricity, the equivalent of 26.32 megawatts of solar energy. Thanks to LUM, 40,757 pounds of carbon dioxide were NOT emitted, the equivalent of 1,027 trees being planted.
In addition to the environmental benefits of going solar, the savings to LUM could be $5,000 per year. The LUM September 2019 energy bill was $303.07 less than last year’s. This savings include a reduction in energy needed as well as revenue from trading Solar Renewable Energy Credits. This money will be re -invested in LUM programs & services in support of local families. Hopefully there will be several days this fall with bright sun and clear skies, and the amount of energy generated daily will be substantial.
Planning for Jubilee Christmas has begun – and we hope that your Church or group will consider participating this year! Jubilee Christmas (Saturday, December 14, 2019) relies on the commitment from local churches to make it a success.
We would encourage you to get
involved as a “host site,” which increasing the number of local children and
families served by Jubilee Christmas this year. The goal of Jubilee Christmas is
to make
the parents the hero. If you decide to become a host site, your
volunteers would work with parents/guardians assigned to your site to “shop”
for their children. They will select toys, clothes, sports equipment, games,
etc. for each child; and wrap these gifts at your host site. Each family will
also receive a ham and home-baked Christmas cookies to make their family
celebration even more special. As a “host site” you would be responsible for
providing the following:
New gifts – Toys, clothes, games, books, crafts, sports equipment, bicycles and more.
Payment for one Ham for each family (approximately $10 each)
Food cards – Family of up to five – $35 per family; Families of six or more – $45
Gift cards for teenagers – $30 per child
The estimated overall cost for serving as a host site is approximately $70-100 per family plus any supplies or “special” gifts you choose to have available. LUM coordinates the following:
Invite, register and assign families to each site
Purchasing the Hams – one per family
Purchasing Food Cards
Toy Drop Off – Extra toys, clothes, blankets, etc. – typically one more gift for each child assigned to your host site
You may also become a “partner” with another church that agrees to be the host site. As a partner, you would provide as much as you are able in toys, funds, and volunteers. It is typically an equal partnership (50/50) but you may also negotiate other terms with your host site. Another option is to sign up volunteers from your church to assist at Jubilee Christmas, parts 2 & 3.
If you decide to get involved in
Jubilee Christmas this year, the process is as follows:
Second Step – find a volunteer Jubilee Christmas Coordinator(s) and share this information with her/him
Jubilee Christmas is a tremendously
rewarding experience – but it is also a lot of hard work. By the end of the
Jubilee Christmas Day, we will have hosted close to 800 local families, and
more than 1,800 local children will have a happy Christmas morning. I would
welcome a meeting to assist your coordinator in developing a plan and timeline
for a success event at your church. The other Jubilee Christmas coordinator and
I would support you throughout the planning. It is a Blessing to be a part of
Jubilee Christmas, and LUM would be thrilled if you could make it a part of your
church’s Christmas celebration this year.
If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to call or email me.
With Christmas Joy,
Pablo Malavenda Director, LUM Jubilee Christmas jubilee@lumserve.org | (765) 423-2691
The LUM After School Program students recently took a trip to First Baptist Church, Lafayette, to participate in the 12th annual Sidewalk Chalk Festival.
The students spent the afternoon drawing masterpieces in chalk on the city’s sidewalks and enjoying the artwork created by local artists.
Thanks to First Baptist Church for inviting our students each year. They learned a lot and had a blast.
To view more PHOTOS from the Sidewalk Chalk Festival, click HERE.
If you would like to sponsor a study trip for the LUM students, email or call Kristi Hogue, LUM Youth Programs director (khogue@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691)
This school year, the LUM After School Program expanded to serve 60 students from each school corporation in our area — SO — additional Bus Drivers are needed. Bus drivers transport children from their schools at dismissal time to the LUM After School Program.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Dates: Monday-Friday, NOW through May 19, 2019, when Lafayette School Corporation is in session
$20 per hour, 5 hours per week maximum
Route: From LUM Ray Ewry Youth Center to Schools to Youth Center
Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record
If interested please call or email the LUM Youth Programs director, Kristi Hogue (765-423-2691 | khogue@lumserve.org).
The Creasy Springs staff members and residents selected LUM as the recipients of their annual Independence from Hunger food drive and other programs earlier in the year. LUM is thankful to Creasy Springs Health Campus & Trilogy Health Services for their continued support. {Pictured are Joe Micon, LUM executive director, and Molly Schulz, Creasy Springs community service representative.}
Satisfy Your Required IRA Distribution & Pay No Tax
DID YOU KNOW?If you are 70 ½ or older, you are required by the IRS to take required minimum distributions from your IRA(s) each year. When planning your IRA withdrawal strategy, you might consider making charitable donations to Lafayette Urban Ministry through a Qualified Charitable Distribution, also known as an IRA charitable rollover. Since LUM is a qualified 501(c)(3) charity, your gift can be made directly from your IRA to LUM. The ADVANTAGES are as follows:
It’s an easy way to make an investment in LUM from one of your major assets.
It satisfies all or part of your annual mandatory distribution requirement at age 70 ½ and older.
It is excluded from income so you pay no federal tax on this amount, and avoid potentially being moved into a higher tax bracket.
To calculate your mandatory minimum withdrawal use the IRA Required Minimum Distribution Worksheet, click HERE. Once you’re ready, direct the administrator of your IRA(s) to make the charitable distribution(s) directly from your IRA(s) to Lafayette Urban Ministry, Inc. For a sample letter to your IRA administrator, click HERE. For more information, you may email or call the LUM executive director, Joe Micon (lum@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).
LUM relies on donations from individuals, businesses and organizations to offer programs that strengthen families & children in our community. LUM has recently been blessed with a special gift of $15,000.
The donor family, who wish to remain anonymous, has admired the work of LUM for some time. The donor approached Joe Micon, LUM executive director, and they soon came up with a plan that matched the goals of the donor and also met the needs of LUM. Our donor has designated the gift to support various food & nutrition initiatives at LUM, including meals at LUM Camp, snacks at the After School Program, snacks & meals at the 5th Quarter Summer Learning Program, meals at the Emergency Shelter, and food items for the Protein Food Pantry (pictured above).
LUM is fortunate to have such generous and passionate supporters, and is especially grateful to our recent anonymous donor. This gift of $15,000 is already having a tremendous positive impact on LUM programs and strengthening local families and children. If you and your family are ready to make an investment in the programs at Lafayette Urban Ministry, Joe Micon is ready to meet with you as well. Please email or call Joe Micon (lum@lumserve.org | 765-423-2691).
It’s less than 100 days until the LUM Jubilee Christmas day — Saturday, December 14. LUM is thinking about Christmas in July — because it’s never too early to begin planning for Jubilee Christmas. Won’t you please consider getting engaged in Jubilee Christmas 2019?
Four Ways YOU and your church, family, business and organization can support Jubilee Christmas are as follows:
HOSTFamilies at your own Jubilee Christmas event, click HERE
PARTNERwith a JC Host Site that is hosting Families, click HERE
Last year on Jubilee Christmas Day, 1,831 children from 640 families received gifts of new toys, books, clothing, and food for Christmas Day at 27 different events. If you need more information or have questions, please go to lumserve.org/jubilee, email jubilee@lumserve.org or call 765-423-2691. Thanks…and Merry Christmas!
The important dates for Jubilee Christmas planning are as follows:
Coordinators Meeting—Thursday, October 10 (2 or 7 p.m.)
Open Registration — M-W, October 21-23 (4:30 – 7:30 p.m.)
Coordinators Meeting—Tuesday, November 12 (2 or 7 p.m.)
Donation Center Open – Monday, December 2 – Friday, Dec. 6, Monday & Tuesday, December 9 & 10 (1 – 5 p.m.)
Each year, when we return from a successful 
This school year, the LUM 
It’s less than 100 days until the LUM