LUM Programs Persist & Thrive in 2020
Wes's Weekly Wrap Up: "Change is Constant"
In this edition of  Wes's Weekly Wrap Up , Wes, LUM executive director, reflects on how at LUM, "change is the only constant." See below how LUM is adapting to offer LUM Camp , Hunger Hike, Jubilee Christmas and Community Thanksgiving Celebration . Please take  57 seconds  to watch the video. Feel free to  SHARE .
LUM Camp & Hunger Hike Persist & Thrive
LUM Camp 2020 is ONLY 12 Days Away
LUM Camp kicks off on Tuesday, July 28 , for approximately 45 local children. LUM knows that camp is extraordinarily beneficial, and that is why LUM has hosted a camp every summer since the 1960’s. This year, LUM Camp will look different due to COVID-19, but the fun and friendship and life-enhancing benefits will remain the same.

LUM Camp will be filled with traditional "camp" activities. This year LUM also hopes to teach children how to be safe and stay healthy during the pandemic, especially in preparation for what they will deal with when they return to school in the fall. Toward that goal, LUM Camp will have fewer campers and more counselors. During the four-day camp, children will interact in small groups, will see areas be disinfected frequently, have their temperature checked throughout the day, and have staggered meals, learning sessions, and recreation times.

LUM Camp has a few more spots open for campers; and is still accepting applications for volunteer LUM Camp counselors . Donations to LUM Camp are still welcome. Individuals may sponsor a camper for only $150. Would you please invest in both their long-term life skills and their short-term fun by offering them the gift of  LUM Camp ?
Hunger Hike - An Exciting New Twist
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be a year of great changes for Hunger Hike , and the event is going to be unique and more exciting than ever.
Hunger Hike 2020 will kick off on Sunday, September 13 starting a week-long challenge for “Hikers” and “Teams.” Individuals & groups can create online fundraising pages for themselves and their team and begin fundraising today. They will also be encouraged to create a “personal challenge” for the week or participate in a leaderboard challenge with other members of their fundraising team to see who can get the most steps -- using a mobile app.

The centerpiece of the event will take place on Sunday, September 20 at 1:00 pm with the Hunger Hike livestream event, featuring local celebrities, speakers and entertainment to help celebrate and raise funds for Hunger Hike . The hike raises money to support the important work of Lafayette Urban Ministry , Food Finders Food Bank, Inc., and the St. Thomas Aquinas Haiti Ministry.
Jubilee Christmas & Community Thanksgiving
LUM program directors have been thinking about how COVID-19 will impact this year's Jubilee Christmas and Community Thanksgiving Celebration . At LUM, we are committed to offering both programs in some form this year. Families will still need assistance with Christmas, the community will still appreciate a free Thanksgiving celebration, and the leadership and members of our member churches will still want to offer assistance. Hopefully things will be much better in December but decisions will made by mid-September.

LUM suggests that you continue to support Jubilee Christmas & the Community Thanksgiving Celebration as you have in past years. Cash donation to these programs would be best, but you may also donate "needed items" to each program. Thank you and your continued support of LUM, Jubilee Christmas and the Community Thanksgiving Celebration . To make an online donation, click the button below. To view the list of needed items, click HERE .
Laura's Kids Support LUM Camp & Food Pantry
Local Family Fund Donates $2,500 to LUM
Nancy Emig recently surprised LUM with a $2,500 donation. This gift was made possible by “ Laura’s Kids ,” a nonprofit created in memory of Laura Williams by Nancy & Greg Emig, her sister and brother-in-law and owners of Lafayette Brewing Company.

Laura Williams graduated from Chesterton High School and was a junior at Purdue University when she passed away unexpectedly in 2001. Laura had a special gift for working with children, and her goal was to become a child life specialist working with children with disabilities. In addition to Laura’s Kids, there is a memorial scholarship at Purdue for students in Human Development & Family Studies.

One thousand dollars was designated to support the LUM Protein Food Pantry, and $1,500 to LUM Camp. This generous gift will feed more than 1,000 local families and send 10 local children to LUM Camp next week. On behalf of the LUM students,  THANK YOU  to Laura’s Kids, the Emig Family and our friends at Lafayette Brewing Company. {Pictured is Nancy with a LUM student and Bayley , her dog, who is the LUM reading buddy.}
LUM Board of Directors - Getting It Done
Video Board Meetings Are Working Well
Last night, the LUM  Board of Directors  held their monthly meeting using video conferencing. The agenda was distributed along with a code to “Join the Meeting” online. Remote meetings continue to be productive and successfully connect and engage everyone involved. 

Joan Low , LUM board president, led the meeting; and  Wes Tillett , LUM executive director, attended and contributed on behalf of the LUM staff. A healthy second quarter financial report was presented and approved. Pictured are the LUM board & staff members who participated. This is yet another example of how LUM continues to be flexible and adaptive during the COVID-19 crisis because LUM is determined to continue serving local families and children in need.