50th Anniversary Celebration
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On Friday, April 8, 2022, the friends of Lafayette Urban Ministry gathered at the Long Center (Lafayette, IN) for the LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration. The event honored the legacy of Lafayette Urban Ministry with a lighthearted evening filled with uplifting stories, live entertainment, refreshments & good company.
The attendees filled the Long Center and included leaders, community partners, volunteers, donors and clients spanning the entire 50 year history of LUM. They were fully engaged the entire evening, often singing along and on their feet with excitement. The program was hosted by LUM executive director, Wes Tillett with narration from Mike Piggot. There were several visual presentations with congratulatory messages from volunteers, clients and community leaders; client success stories; and the oral history of LUM past and present featuring former LUM executive directors the Rev. Jud Dolphin and Joe Micon.
One of the highlights of the evening was the live entertainment. The show included a duet by Onyx Uzomah & Derrick Williams-Bacon, an ensemble featuring Linda Hicks & friends (Jim Brehm, Sharon McKnight, Sam Cody & Hunt Wiley), Briton Weise, the LUM Children’s Chorus featuring LUM students, LUM Ecumenical Choir directed by Eileen Weiss and featuring singers from more than 20 local churches. Jeff Goodspeed (piano) and Larry Guentert (drums) provided accompaniment throughout the event, and the social hour featured the West Lafayette High School String Quartet. The event also included volunteer recognition and 2021 LUM Star Volunteer awards presented by the Rev. Dr. Gladys Nwabah and Rev. Lucia Oerter, and an acknowledgement of the event sponsors by Wes Tillett.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. 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. In 2021, the Good Samaritan Fund helped 1,309 families; provided financial assistance in averting eviction, utility disconnects and other crises 2,018 times; and distributed $196,198.
More Information – LUM 50th Anniversary:
- Video
- Full Show (Runtime: 1:25:14) with live entertainment & visual presentations
- Live Entertainment – click link below to jump to each performance
- Visual Presentations
- Features – LUM Today | Good Samaritan Fund
- History – History of LUM | Jubilee Christmas | Impact of LUM
- Mission Moments – Marlena’s Story | Patrick’s Story
- Congratulatory Messages – Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
- Photos – Facebook | Flickr |
- Slideshows – Pre-Event | Event Slides |
- Media Stories
- April 10, 2022 – Purdue Exponent – LUM celebrates its 50th anniversary
- April 8, 2022 – WLFI – LUM celebrates its 50th Anniversary
- April 7, 2022 – WLFI – LUM reflects on 50 years of community service
- April 7, 2022 – Journal & Courier – LUM celebrates 50 years serving as safety net for families in need
- April 7, 2022 – Star City News – LUM celebrates 50th (not available online)
- Written
- LUM Milestones – historic moments from the beginning to the present day
- LUM History – a brief history of Lafayette Urban Ministry
- Reflections – Executive Directors
- Reflections from Wes Tillett, current executive director
- Reflections from Jud Dolphin, former executive director
- Reflections from Joe Micon, former executive director
- Reflections from Mary Anderson, former interim executive director
The LUM 50th Anniversary Celebration kicks off a yearlong series of events commemorating LUM becoming a recognized nonprofit in 1972. If you are not able to attend this event, you still have an opportunity to invest in the next 50 years of Lafayette Urban Ministry in its quest to “tackle basic human needs and uplift the people of Greater Lafayette.” One hundred percent of the net proceeds from this event go to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, which provides local individuals, families and children with a financial safety net when in crisis. To make a 50th anniversary donation to the LUM Good Samaritan Fund, click the button below, go to LUMserve.org/50th-anniversary or call or email LUM (765-423-2691 | lum@LUMserve.org).
In 1972, a small group of dedicated individuals successfully incorporated a new social services agency in Tippecanoe County — Lafayette Urban Ministry. Mark your calendars and plan on joining us to honor the leadership, shareholders, programs & services, and impact of Lafayette Urban Ministry for the last half-century.
“Tackling Basic Human Needs &
Uplifting the People of Great Lafayette”
LUM also invites you to be a part of the vision for the next 50 years, which will include an in-depth and strategic look at the sustainable future for Lafayette Urban Ministry as a valuable asset to the people, families, and children in our community for generations to come.
