Tag Archives: volunteer

Meet Bonnie – Superstar LUM Volunteer

August 11, 2021Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Volunteerlafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, volunteerLafayette Urban Ministry

Bonnie Gillman Shares Her Time & Talent with LUM

Bonnie Gillman grew up in Amo, Indiana, located in Hendricks County. She is a retired nonprofit administrator who is enjoying retirement with her husband of 33 years, Keith. They were both active with the Presbyterian church: she as a deacon and both as ministers with the Stephen Ministry. Bonnie earned her bachelor’s degree later in her career from DePaul University (Chicago) and Professional Project Planning certification from the University of Chicago. Bonnie & Keith’s work took them from Hendricks County to Indianapolis to Chicago. After a career working with mental health & addiction focused nonprofits, Bonnie retired in 2017 from the Gateway Foundation, a national nonprofit that treats drug & alcohol addiction at 16 rehab centers, as their information services director reporting to the vice president.

Bonnie has four adult children (two daughters & two sons) who live in Chicago, Indianapolis, Florida & Lafayette. She and her husband decided to relocate to Lafayette when Keith retired in 2019 to be close to their six grandchildren (three girls & three boys). As soon as she was settled, Bonnie searched for a meaningful service opportunity and found Lafayette Urban Ministry. She stated that,

“LUM offered me a chance to serve while learning more about my new community. I soon learned that LUM does amazing things to help local families in need.”

Through her faith and family, Bonnie has learned that,

“everyone finds themselves in need from time to time and often finds it difficult to ask for help.”

What she enjoys about LUM is that,

“the staff are dedicated to helping with love and without judgement.”

As a volunteer afternoon receptionist, Bonnie knows that she is contributing to making the community better. She not only connects individuals with the appropriate LUM service, but also witnesses individuals who give both time and money to support those programs. She was recently moved by the kindness and generosity of a local landlord. LUM gave financial assistance to this landlord’s tenant to pay rent. When the landlord found out, he returned the money to LUM, forgave the tenant’s debt, and told Bonnie that he didn’t need the money that badly. It is stories like these that keep Bonnie motivated to stay engaged at Lafayette Urban Ministry.

Bonnie wants to encourage anyone who is looking for a meaningful volunteer service opportunity to check out LUM. She shared that,

“LUM is a very good place to volunteer. The people are nice and inspire me with their passion. They give you a chance to play a small part in something much bigger.”

Bonnie and Keith consider themselves “foodies” and enjoy traveling to different cities to learn about the culture and find great places to enjoy the food. Their goal is to eventually visit each of the 50 US states and five (permanent, nonmilitary) territories. Their favorite pastime though is spending time with their grandchildren and hosting family celebrations.

LUM is grateful for each and every volunteer, but is especially thankful that Bonnie chose LUM. Her experience, talent and delightful personality have added so much to the quality of the service LUM offers to children, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Please join us in thanking her for her many hours of service to our community through LUM. If you wish to be like Bonnie and volunteer with LUM, please go to LUMserve.org/volunteer, email volunteer@LUMserve.org or call 765-423-2691.

LUM Seeking Spanish-Speaking Volunteers

August 6, 2021Emergency Shelter, Homeless Shelter, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, Volunteerlafayette urban ministry, lum, pablo malavenda, receptionist, shelter intake, volunteerLafayette Urban Ministry

Weekday Afternoon Volunteer Opportunity

LUM has a volunteer opportunity for an individual who is fluent in conversational & written Spanish.

Volunteers would be needed two hours per week
Hours are flexible, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Duties would include reviewing voice mail messages, following up with clients by phone or email, and translating marketing and information materials like event fliers, door signs & brochures

Join a dynamic team of volunteers who are passionate about serving our neighbors in need. For more information, email or call Terri Anderson, LUM volunteer coordinator (765-423-2691 | volunteer@LUMserve.org).

¿Habla Español? Love Helping Others?

A Recap of LUM Camp 2021 – Life Changing

August 6, 2021Lafayette Urban Ministry, LUM, LUM Camp, Volunteerlafayette urban ministry, lum, lum camp, pablo malavenda, volunteerLafayette Urban Ministry

Thanks for Making LUM Camp Possible

LUM Camp is the best week of the summer, and this year was the best LUM Camp ever. Strict health & safety protocols were still in place, but the capacity was doubled and the campers enjoyed ALL of the activities. LUM transported 58 boys & girls to Hanging Rock Camp for a life-changing experience.

The theme, Brain Builders, was excitedly embraced by the campers. They had fun discussing and writing in their journals about the “9 types of intelligences” in the brain. The highlight was seeing the joy & excitement in the faces of our campers as they rode on horses, zipped down the zipline, searched for bugs in the creek, dove into the pool, and cruised around the pond in a canoe — many for the first time in their lives.

One evening, LUM Board members and donors were invited to camp to engage with the campers. They attended the camp meeting, sang camp songs, and joined the campers for an outdoor cook-out followed by a campfire which included s’mores. It was a wonderful night. The final day included the Movie Night event featuring Inside Out — the Pixar movie about the brain. To view more PHOTOS, click HERE.

Your donations made it possible to continue this LUM tradition that started in the 1960s. And once again, it was well worth it! LUM Campers made new friends and made great memories, while having a blast and learning new things about the brain and themselves. Truly life-changing. If you wish to make a investment in LUM Camp, go to LUMserve.org/donate.

LUM Camp

LUM Camp Counselors Needed

LUM Camp also has a few more spots open for volunteer LUM Camp counselors. If you are interested in being a LUM Camp counselor next week, please email LUM Camp director, Marlena Edmondson, TODAY at medmondson@LUMserve.org.

Apply – LUM Camp Counselor

Please note: LUM is working closely with the professional staff at Hanging Rock Christian Camp, the long-time host site of LUM Camp. LUM Camp is being planned in compliance with and exceeding the guidelines developed by the American Camp Association and the YMCA of the USA. All donations to LUM Camp will be used entirely on the campers’ experience this year.