In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the LUM Tax Assistance Program. Please take 59 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. Please see below for more information about the LUM Tax Assistance Program.

FACT - LUM would not be able to offer an exceptional level of support to our community without engaging thousands of volunteers each year. In 2022, individuals volunteered 2,416 times for a total of 17,208 hours, valued at $506,336. LUM volunteers are the foundation of our community impact. They help their neighbors, serve their community, and provide their expertise.

Starting this month, LUM program directors will select a LUM Volunteer of the Month. This will give LUM volunteers the recognition they deserve and will also inspire others to begin their journey of service. LUM will also be honoring "Star Volunteers" at the annual LUM Volunteer Celebration on April 30 in conjunction with National Volunteer Appreciation Week. There will be at least one LUM Star Volunteer honored from each LUM program and event.

Stay tuned for more updates, and please check out the LUM Volunteer of the Month for February 2023 below — Kathy Coder.

Kathy Coder is the February LUM Volunteer of the Month. She was selected for her work with the LUM Westside Food Pantry located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tippecanoe County, West Lafayette.

Kathy is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and now lives in West Lafayette with her husband. Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College and a Master’s in Education from Purdue University. She retired after a remarkable 44-year career in education in the local schools—four years as a third grade teacher in Lafayette and 40 years as an elementary school counselor within the Tippecanoe School Corporation, primarily at Klondike Elementary School.  

Kathy is being honored for her exceptional commitment, passion and insightfulness to the LUM food pantry. She shared that she gets a special joy from the connections she is making with the food pantry clients and the camaraderie that she shares with the other volunteers. Kathy stated, “The people are fun to talk with and are so appreciative. In a lot of cases, I have gotten to know the guests.” Kathy says that volunteering at the LUM Westside Food Pantry is an enjoyable and meaningful way to be involved in the community and encourages others to do the same. “You might enjoy finding your little niche in one of the various LUM programs,” she encourages. “You will likely get more out of it than you put in.”

In her free time, Kathy enjoys playing the piano, gardening, traveling, going for walks, snorkeling, cooking and volunteering. Join us in congratulating Kathy Coder for being selected the LUM Volunteer of the Month for February 2023. If you would like to volunteer with LUM, check out the LUM website or call or email the LUM volunteer coordinator, Terri Anderson (volunteer@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691)

In only three weeks, the LUM Tax Assistance Program has already had a tremendous positive impact on our community. Some interesting statistics so far are as follows:

The 2023 LUM Tax Assistance Program is led by Dan Guckien. LUM would not be able to offer this service without the skilled, trained volunteers who make this important LUM program such a success each year. Taxpayers get one-on-one help from IRS-certified volunteers who prepare their taxes at no charge. Appointments are still available.

First Farmers Bank & Trust are the Presenting Sponsor of the LUM We've Got Talent event.

Last week, Scott Douglass, new Downtown Lafayette branch manager, and Todd White, Business Development, regional manager & AVP, presented Josh Prokopy, LUM fundraising director, and Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, with a "big" check for $5,000.

Join us in thanking the team at the First Farmer's Bank & Trust for their support of the LUM We've Got Talent event and the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. Stop by their Lafayette location and say "thanks." For more information on We've Got Talent see below and purchase your tickets today.

Get your tickets for We've Got Talent — an amateur talent competition judged by a panel of local experts. The event features a live show plus refreshments and other surprises. The best part is that 100% of the proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, an emergency financial assistance fund that supports local families and individuals in need.

NOT able to attend? 

If you aren’t able to attend We’ve Got Talent but wish to make a donation to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund — click the button below.

Want to PERFORM? 

Talk to your church’s representative on the LUM Board of Directors.

If you or your group wishes to volunteer at We’ve Got Talent, click HERE.

The LUM Good Samaritan Fund provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis. In 2022, the LUM Good Samaritan Fund helped 1,451 families; provided financial assistance in averting eviction, utility disconnects and other crises 2,084 times; and shared $159,647.