Volunteer!
Who
is my neighbor?
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us
that it's not enough to merely feel sorry for a
neighbor in need. Our concern must be backed up with concrete
actions. The priest and the Levite may have felt sorry
for the man who lay beaten along the side of the road,
but the real neighbor was the Samaritan who stopped
to help the man by tending to his injuries. Christian
faith requires us to be a neighbor to those in need. Each
day people who are beaten down by poverty and injustice
come to LUM seeking help. Won't you find a few hours to
serve
those in our community who are less fortunate? |
 |
LUM
could not provide its many programs and services without the
hundreds of volunteers who generously contribute their time
and talents. Most volunteers find their work to be interesting,
fulfilling, and rewarding.
There
are many different opportunities for volunteering, from working
one-on-one with a child in the afternoon to helping run the
46-bed homeless shelter overnight. Also, there are opportunities
to fit every schedule, from regular long-term commitments
such as being an advocate once a week in the morning Emergency
Assistance Program, to helping out one time with a special
event such as the Thanksgiving Celebration.
Some
volunteer positions require training while others require
only a willing heart and a helping hand. Below you will find
more detailed information about some of the specific volunteering
opportunities. If you would like to become a volunteer or
if you have questions, contact the director of the specific
program or contact the main LUM office. Thank you!
ADVOCATE
PROGRAM
Meet with clients who visit LUM in the mornings with emergency
financial assistance needs. Volunteer commitment is one morning
each week, from 8:30am-11am. Training required. For more information
about the Advocate Program, go to Advocate
Program. To learn more about volunteering, contact the
Director of the Advocate Program, Mary
Anderson.
AFTERSCHOOL
PROGRAM
The Afterschool Program operates for a couple of hours everyday
after school during the regular school year (Lafayette School
Corporation calendar). Volunteers help lead crafts, games
and musical activities, provide one-on-one help with homework,
serve snacks, and supervise on field trips. Some groups may
like to arrange for a party or special outing. Volunteers
may help out on a regular basis, or only occasionally. For
more information about the Afterschool Program, go to Afterschool
Program. To learn more about volunteering, contact the
Director of the Afterschool Program, Cindy Haley .
BAKED
GOODS DISTRIBUTION
Baked goods are distributed at three different sites on Friday
mornings. For more information about the Baked Goods Distribution
Program, go to Food Pantry/Baked Goods
Distribution. To learn more about volunteering, contact
LUM Staff member Patti
O'Callaghan.
BULK
MAILERS
Approximately once or twice a month a group of friendly and
dedicated volunteers come together to prepare LUM's bulk mailings.
These mailings include the LUM newsletter, as well as solicitations
and other mailings. The task usually involves applying labels,
inserting return envelopes, and sometimes sealing envelopes
and applying stamps. The job gets done while engaging in friendly
conversation and friendship-making. If you would like to be
a Bulk Mailer, we will add you to the call list, and then
we will call you when a mailing has been scheduled. You may
then commit to helping out for a morning or afternoon, or
not, depending upon your schedule. To be added to the call
list, contact Office Manager Kaye
McSpadden.
EMERGENCY
HOMELESS SHELTER
1. Overnight Shelter Volunteer: Work from 8:15pm-7:00am. Help
check in guests, serve meals, and oversee operations. (You
will have the opportunity to sleep for about 5-6 hrs.) Volunteer
one night each month or as often as you can. Requires a 1
1/2 hour training session. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Training sessions are scheduled regularly, usually twice a
month. To find out when the next training session is scheduled,
and to learn more detailed information about overnight volunteering,
go to Overnight Volunteering
or contact the LUM office. For other questions or if you have
completed the training and wish to discuss scheduling, contact
the Director of the Shelter, Joyce
Fasani.
2.
Shelter Meal provider: Plan and prepare a meal for about 46
people. Cook at home, then deliver to LUM. Stay and help serve
if you like. This is a favorite activity for families, civic
groups, and church groups. For more detailed information about
providing meals, go to Providing
Meals. If you have questions or if you are ready to discuss
scheduling, contact Director of the Shelter, Joyce
Fasani.
To
learn more about the Emergency Homeless Shelter go to Shelter.
FOOD
PANTRY
The St. John's/LUM Food Pantry operates four mornings a week:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Pantry volunteers usually
help out once or twice a month. Volunteer shoppers and drivers
are also needed on a regular basis (you'll need a pick-up
truck and a strong back). For more information about the Food
Pantry, go to Food Pantry. To learn
more about volunteering contact the Food Pantry Volunteer
Coordinator at 463-6158.
JUBILEE
CHRISTMAS
Volunteers are needed in late October to register families
(one afternoon or evening). In November and December, volunteers
help sort toys and clothing. On Jubilee day, you may volunteer
to help out at a Jubilee church site (contact the church).
For more information about the Jubilee Christmas program,
go to Jubilee Christmas. To help
with registration or toy-sorting, contact LUM.
OFFICE
RECEPTIONIST
Volunteers help out in the main LUM office in the afternoons
by answering the phone, greeting visitors, and helping with
routine office tasks such as filing and preparing mailings.
The hours are generally 12:00noon-4:30pm, although some flexibility
is possible. The commitment is for at least one day a week.
For more information contact the LUM Office Manager, Kaye
McSpadden.
SUMMER
CAMP
Camp counselors are needed every year for LUM's Annual Summer
Camp for children. Counselors must be 18 or older. For more
information about LUM's Summer Camp Program, go to Summer
Camp . To learn more about volunteering contact Camp Director
Joe Micon.
TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Volunteers are needed from January through April 15 to provide tax preparation for low-income clients, helping to ensure that they receive all the refunds and credits due to them. IRS training is provided; online training is available. Volunteers are asked to commit to one session/week. Afternoons, evenings, and some Saturdays are available. For more information about LUM's Tax Assistance Program, go to Free Low-Income Tax Assistance. To learn more about volunteering contact Program Director Patti O'Callaghan.
THANKSGIVING
MEAL AND CELEBRATION
The annual Community Thanksgiving Meal and Celebration requires
many volunteers for preparations and set-up, serving, and
clean-up. For more information about the Thanksgiving event,
go to Thanksgiving. To learn
more about volunteering, contact the LUM.
VAN
DRIVERS
Van drivers are needed during the school year for the Afterschool
Program and sometimes during other times of the year as well
for other LUM programs. If you are interested in being a van
driver, contact Cindy Haley or contact the LUM office.
|