LUM Volunteer Spotlight & Outreach
Wes's Weekly Wrap Up - Celebrating Harith Morgan
In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares the story of Harith Morgan, a superstar LUM volunteer and Purdue student. Please take 58 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others.
Meet Harith - Superstar LUM Volunteer
Dedicated LUM Food Pantry Volunteer
Harith Morgan grew up in a Muslim family in Brooklyn, New York and now lives in West Lafayette. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is currently pursuing a Master’s at Purdue University in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, Harith plans on pursuing a career in environmental sustainability.

Nine months ago, Harith found the LUM Protein Food Pantry and began volunteering. Through the height of the pandemic, he has shown up each week, ready to work hard and serve his neighbors struggling to get enough food to feed their families.
Harith shared that, “Volunteering with LUM is a blessing. It gives me an opportunity to help others — and to work with the other wonderful volunteers, who I now call my friends.” Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, is impressed with Harith for several reasons. He stated that, “I have been struck by the positivity and consistency of Harith. He serves with such joy. He uplifts everyone he is around -- volunteers and clients alike. It is a blessing to have Harith Morgan as a LUM volunteer.

LUM is grateful for each and every volunteer, but is especially thankful for Harith. He is not only extremely busy working on Master’s degree and job search, but also finds the time to do good work in his new community of Greater Lafayette. Please join us in thanking Harith for his many hours of service to our community through LUM. If you want to be like Harith and volunteer with LUM, please go to LUMserve.org/volunteer, email volunteer@LUMserve.org or call 765-423-2691.
LUM Outreach - Latino Festival & More
Promoting LUM Opportunities & Services
Outreach is an important part of the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry. Members of the LUM professional staff actively seek opportunities to promote LUM services, recruit volunteers, and educate people on issues relating to poverty, hunger and homelessness. Directors of the various LUM programs are eager to raise awareness of LUM services, are well-informed on social and economic issues, and would like to help raise awareness in the local community on critical issues affecting low-income families.

Recently, LUM has been attending various community events, church services and group meetings. Among these are as follows:
  • Events
  • Tippecanoe Latino Festival - Columbian Park
  • Community Service Fair - Purdue College of Education
  • First Friday - Downtown Lafayette
  • Greater Lafayette Indiana Black Expo "Car-nival"
  • We're Out Celebration - First United Methodist Church
  • Hunger Hike Kickoff Event - Riehle Plaza
  • Civic Groups/Agencies - Recovery Cafe, Noon Optimists, University Place
  • Churches - Living Truth of Christ Church and Memorial Presbyterian Church of Dayton

Staff members are available to speak or set up an information table for churches, civic organization, agencies, community events, and educational groups. To make arrangements for a presentation or event, call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).
Autumn is the Season for Planning Ahead
Create a Personal Legacy with LUM Planned Giving
The autumn season is approaching with cooler nights, colorful trees, pumpkins, football and having fun outdoors with family. But it is also a season for preparing. In addition to preparing for the winter — consider also preparing for the future.

Spend time creating a personal legacy by continuing your support of the Lafayette Urban Ministry mission beyond your own lifetime. Each of us supports our community with our gifts to LUM, but by creating a legacy through Planned Giving, your support will continue in perpetuity.

Estate Planning strategy is a win-win for you and LUM. In addition to the altruistic benefits, your charitable gift to LUM brings tax relief — and also allows you to make a larger gift to LUM than you could from your income alone. The benefits of Estate Planned Gifts can make this type of donation attractive, whether you use cash, appreciated securities/stock, real estate, artwork, partnership interests, personal property, life insurance or a retirement plan. We also encourage you to remember LUM in your will.

Start by meeting with your professional advisor to learn how informed estate planning can increase the overall value of your estate with a gift of tax-burdened assets (like IRAs, 401(k), or savings bonds) to LUM. When you are ready to begin the conversation, please email or call Wes Tillett, LUM executive director (wtillett@LUMserve.org | 765-423-2691). Wes would enjoy meeting with you. Whatever you decide, enjoy this season with your family and friends and think for a moment about the mission of Lafayette Urban Ministry and the families we serve.
Port of Hope - Immigration Clinic Fundraiser
Tickets Available - Limited Capacity
Port of Hope is an exciting fundraising event benefiting the LUM Immigration Clinic. Port of Hope is a festive event with lots of food, dancing, and fun, including hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, live performances, and a cash bar. Port of Hope details are as follows:
  • Date: Thursday, November 4
  • Time: 5:30 – 8 p.m.
  • Place: Lafayette Brewing Co., 622 Main St., Lafayette
  • Tickets: $50 per person

If your business or group would like to become an event sponsor, email poh@LUMserve.org. For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, go to LUMserve.org/port-of-hope.