In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares the story of the LUM Good Samaritan Fund and its impact on local families in crisis. Please take 72 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. Join the campaign to raise $50,000 for this fund in celebration of the LUM 50th anniversary. See below for more details.

The LUM 50^th Anniversary Celebration continues this year with the goal of raising $50,000 for the LUM Good Samaritan Fund — representing $1,000 per year. More than $23,440 has already been raised toward the $50,000 goal at the LUM 50th Anniversary event in April.

Please join the celebration, help LUM reach this goal, and honor LUM’s 50 years of service to our community. To make an online donation, click the button below.

The LUM Good Samaritan Fund provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis – and is not used for any administrative expenses. No operating expenses are taken out of the Good Samaritan Fund — 100% of all donations go to help those in need. In 2021, the Good Samaritan Fund helped 1,309 local families; providing financial assistance in averting eviction, utility disconnects and other crises 2,018 times; and distributed $196,198.

James (Jim) D. Davidson, Jr., 79, passed away on May 22. Jim earned a bachelor's degree in sociology at Fairfield University (Connecticut); and a master's degree and PhD at the University of Notre Dame. He was Professor of Sociology at Purdue University from 1968 until he retired in 2009. Jim had a very productive and fulfilling career. His research focused on religion and social inequality.

With Ron Elly, the first LUM executive director (1972-1977); Tom Hull, LUM Board president (1976, 1978), and Don Nead, Jim played a leadership role in the survival, stability, and success of the Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM). They collaborated on and published The Lafayette Urban Ministry: A Model for Urban Ministries and an Evaluation of LUM (AKA the Green Book). His research on changes in the Catholic Church and trends among American Catholics was considered exemplary and received numerous awards. Jim was a popular keynote speaker at gatherings of religious educators and church leaders.

Professor Davidson was a dedicated friend to LUM for 50 years and recently attended the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration in April. He will be missed for his friendship, sage advice, and compassionate counsel. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a donation to Lafayette Urban Ministry or to a local charity of your choosing.

Jim & Anna Tassone were married in 1971. They were resident parishioners at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue. Jim & Anna had two children: Jay (wife Corina) Davidson of Chicago, IL and their two daughters (Lucy & Evelyn) and Terry Davidson of Denver, CO and her two sons (Brady & Anthony). Jim was very proud of both Jay and Terry; and Jim & Anna have loved all four of their grandchildren, visiting and vacationing with them as often as possible.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. tomorrow (6/10) at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center, 535 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN. To read the full obituary, click HERE.

The members of the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Sorority at Purdue recently donated a truckload of paper products to LUM. Polly Magee, house director, delivered the paper products to LUM on behalf of the sorority (pictured). These items will be used primarily at events like the LUM Community Thanksgiving Feast and Turkey Trot 5K Run, both scheduled for Thanksgiving day, Thursday, November 24.

LUM is grateful to have the support of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Thanks again to the members of the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Delta Delta Sorority at Purdue.

If you, your company or organization would like to collect items for LUM, please check out our list of “needed items.” Some of the Hot Needs are as follows:

You may either ship or drop off items to the LUM Office (420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901). Cash donations are also appreciated.

The LUM Summer of Service offers volunteer opportunities that fit every schedule. Some require training, but most just a willing heart and a helping hand. Below are a few immediate needs. Sign up today — and share with others.

For more information, go to LUMserve.org/volunteer; or email or call Terri Anderson, the LUM volunteer coordinator (volunteer@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691).