In this edition of Wes's Weekly Wrap Up, Wes Tillett, LUM executive director, shares his experience attending many Jubilee Christmas sites this past weekend — blustery, blessed, magical, joyful, meaningful and more. Please take 60 seconds to watch the video and SHARE with others. See below for more information.

Jubilee Christmas was a brilliant success this past Saturday serving 623 households, impacting 1,746 children, engaging close to 1,200 volunteers at 29 events, supported by donors giving more than $250,000 worth of gifts, food, clothes, and books. What a tremendous community-wide effort.

Jubilee Christmas also provides a significant boost to the local retail economy. Gifts and food are purchased locally, and $35,000 in gift cards are redeemed locally. As a result of this program, LUM will see fewer clients in January and February requesting emergency rent and utility assistance in the Financial Assistance Program.

Special thanks to Allie Parker, the Jubilee Christmas director, and all of the JC Host Site coordinators & volunteers. (See below for a complete list of Host Site churches.) If you participated or made a donation this year, THANK YOU! And, Merry Christmas!

The LUM Tax Assistance Program has openings for volunteers to help local individuals and families with their income tax returns. YOU can make things a little easier, and provide a valuable service to the local families who rely on LUM to get their taxes done. If this sounds like a fun and rewarding experience, please join the LUM Tax Prep Team.

LUM has developed a plan to get taxes done while keeping volunteers and clients safe. LUM is offering remote and "limited in-person" sessions from February through April. To view the variety of volunteer opportunities available, click HERE. If you would like to find out more, please email the LUM Tax Assistance director, Josh Prokopy, at jprokopy@lumserve.org.

UNITED WAY of Greater Lafayette — United Way of Greater Lafayette recently announced that LUM has been awarded $11,346 from the COVID-19 Response Fund. These funds will be available to local individuals and families through the LUM Financial Assistance Program.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION of Greater Lafayette — The LUM Emergency Shelter was awarded a grant for $7,454 from The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette. This award will be used to progress the LUM Healthy Shelter project. The project will create more insect & virus resistant shelter sleeping spaces by purchasing metal frame beds, bug resistant mattresses and heat treatment equipment.

ELECTRIC PLUS — Pat McCarthy & Brad Niemantsverdriet, Electric Plus representatives, recently presented 59 gift cards from local restaurants worth $70 each, totaling $4,130, to Wes Tillett, LUM executive director (pictured above). The LUM staff members have begun distributing the gift cards to the families enrolled in the After School Program, families living in Isaiah 32 homes, and guests in the Emergency Shelter & Winter Warming Station. 

Join LUM in thanking the United Way of Greater Lafayette, The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, and Electric Plus for their continued support of the local families and individuals served by LUM. A gift to LUM before the end of the year may entitle you to a charitable contribution deduction against your income tax. If you, your business or organization wishes to take advantage of this deduction, go to lumserve.org/donate, email lum@lumserve.org or call 765-423-2691.