United Way of 1000 Lakes

06/17/2026

Today is the day!

We’re excited to welcome volunteers from across the region for another incredible Day of Action. With more than 21 projects on the agenda community throughout, Calumet will be buzzing with neighbors lending a hand, sharing a laugh, and making a difference together.

Thank you to every volunteer, partner, and sponsor, who said “yes” to be part of something bigger than themselves. We can’t wait to see the impact we’ll create, and the connections we’ll build through a day of service.

06/09/2026

🔨 Calling all skilled volunteers!

United Way is looking for volunteers with construction, carpentry, maintenance, and general trades experience to help complete community improvement projects during Day of Action in Calumet on June 17. 📅

✅Projects include:
• Building and site improvements
• Community garden expansion
• Painting and landscaping
• Minor home repairs for local residents

Your skills can make a lasting impact in just one day. Can't volunteer? Help by sponsoring a project or sharing this opportunity with someone who can. 🔅

📨To sign up, email [email protected]. Provide your name, contact information, and relevant skills or trade experience. A member of our team will follow up with project details and volunteer assignments. ⭐

06/04/2026

5 volunteer opportunities in June and the coming months 🌳

United Way of 1000 Lakes is seeking volunteers for Day of Action in Calumet on June 17. Join more than 100 volunteers for projects including painting, landscaping, park improvements, trail signage, and community clean-up efforts. Full- and half-day shifts are available for all ages and skill levels. Lunch, snacks, water, and an event t-shirt are provided. 🔅

Support Within Reach is seeking volunteers for its July 23 Karaoke for a Cause fundraiser at Zorbaz in Grand Rapids. Opportunities include donation collection, flyer distribution, event setup, and tear down. Some roles can be completed flexibly throughout June and early July. Volunteers help support local programs while being part of a fun community event. 🎤

Make a difference in the lives of families reconnecting. As a Supervised Visitation Monitor with Advocates for Family Peace, you'll help create a safe, supportive environment for children and their noncustodial parent. Volunteers observe and document visits and receive guidance from an experienced monitor. 👪

Volunteers are needed for the Power of Produce (POP) Program at the Grand Rapids MN Farmers' Market. POP encourages children ages 2–12 to make healthy food choices. Volunteers assist with setup, activities, and cleanup, including seed planting, scavenger hunts, and vegetable painting. Flexible shifts are available throughout the year. 👩🏿‍🌾

Lawrence Township is seeking volunteers August 5–7 to help build a new playground for local families. Volunteers will assist with assembly, installation, organization, and general project support. Lunch and snacks are provided. Volunteer for one day or all three and help create a lasting community space for children and families. 🎢

05/27/2026

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly been a week since our annual Community Celebration. Together, we celebrated volunteerism, reflected on the realities many ALICE households face, pledged 281 volunteer hours through Time for Art, and launched a $10,000 Match Challenge supporting local families and community initiatives.

Congratulations again to 2026 Volunteer of the Year honoree Jennifer Raushel of the Grand Rapids Area Library Foundation and all of this year’s inspiring finalists.

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and community partners who helped make the evening possible, including Timberlake Lodge Hotel, Taylor Apedaile Photography, Pemberton RE, Edward Jones – Danielle M. Witherill Financial Advisor, Lake Country Power, Blandin Foundation, Members Cooperative Credit Union, MDI, Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company, Park State Bank, Paul Bunyan Communications, and St. Croix Hospice.

To learn more and have your donation matched, visit uwlakes.org/community-celebration.

Stay tuned throughout the week as we continue sharing photos, highlights, stories, and special moments from this meaningful evening.

05/20/2026

Last call! Join us tomorrow for United Way’s Community Celebration at Timberlake Lodge Hotel.

This year’s refreshed event experience will feature:
👟 Walking in ALICE’s Shoes — an interactive experience highlighting the realities facing working families
🎨 Time for Art — our unique volunteer-hour auction featuring local artwork and experiences
🏆 Volunteer of the Year recognition with guests helping select this year’s honoree
🍸 Networking, connection, and community celebration

A limited number of seats are still available thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, but space is filling quickly.

Thursday, May 21
4:00–7:00 PM
Timberlake Lodge | Grand Rapids

🎟 Reserve your seats today: uwlakes.org/community-celebration

05/18/2026

We’re grateful to WDIO for recently spotlighting Flavors of Our Community and helping raise awareness about the importance of culturally familiar foods in local school pantries.

United Way staff joined Tasha Connelly and Renee Passal at Grand Rapids Elementary to share how these pantry packs are helping families access foods that feel familiar, comforting, and connected to culture and tradition.

Since 2023, Flavors of Our Community provides culturally inspired pantry packs, including Hispanic, Southeast Asian, and Anishinaabe options, to school pantries across the region. New this year, each pack also includes recipe cards to help families prepare meals using the ingredients provided.

School pantries continue to serve as an important safety net for local families, and partnerships like these help ensure support goes beyond basic needs by honoring culture, dignity, and belonging.

Learn more or support the effort at uwlakes.org/flavors

The United Way of 1000 Lakes is proud of their support of pantry packs designed to help make culturally familiar foods.

05/16/2026

As part of our Volunteer of the Year series, we’re proud to highlight finalist Adrianne Reiners and her work with Free Range Food Co-op.

Adrianne is someone who naturally brings people together around ideas that strengthen community. Through her volunteer work with the co-op, she’s helping expand access to locally sourced food while supporting a more connected and resilient region.

Her impact also reaches far beyond one organization. Adrianne serves on the board of KAXE / KBXE, supports United Way of 1000 Lakes initiatives like Day of Action, and helped co-found Unbound - Collaboration Over Competition— creating spaces where women can connect, encourage one another, and lead meaningful change together.

Whether working behind the scenes or rallying others into action, Adrianne leads with energy, empathy, and a deep commitment to community.

We’re honored to celebrate Adrianne and the many ways she continues to invest in our region.

Join us May 21 at our Community Celebration, where this year’s Volunteer of the Year will be determined through a community-centered audience experience.

👉 RSVP at: uwlakes.org/community-celebration
📻 Read Adrianne's full bio: bit.ly/4deKmfY

05/12/2026

Have skills to share? We need you!

Day of Action is a great opportunity to put your talents to work. Projects often benefit from volunteers with experience in carpentry, painting, landscaping, and general repair—helping ensure the work is done safely, efficiently, and built to last. 🛠️

This year’s proposed projects include playground installation, residential maintenance, gardening, landscaping, painting, and more.

📅 Join us on June 17 in Calumet and put your talents to work for the community.
👉 Sign up: bit.ly/4ujTHcS

05/11/2026

As part of our Volunteer of the Year series, we’re proud to highlight finalist Jennifer Raushel and her commitment to strengthening community across the region.

In addition to her professional role at Members Cooperative Credit Union, Jennifer volunteers with and supports numerous local organizations, including the Grand Rapids Area Library Foundation, Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation - Hill City Area Community Fund, ICTV, Unbound - Collaboration Over Competition, United Way of 1000 Lakes, and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce - Grand Rapids Minnesota.

Whether serving meals at fundraisers, volunteering during United Way events, donating blood, or quietly supporting neighbors facing hardship, Jennifer consistently shows up with compassion, humility, and care. She is especially known for preparing home-cooked meals for individuals and families going through difficult times—offering support in ways that are deeply personal and meaningful.

We’re honored to celebrate Jennifer and the lasting impact she continues to make throughout our community.

Join us May 21 at our Community Celebration, where the Volunteer of the Year will be unveiled as part of a special audience-driven recognition experience.

👉 RSVP at: uwlakes.org/community-celebration
📕 Read her full bio: bit.ly/4deKmfY

05/09/2026

At United Way of 1000 Lakes, we believe strong families are supported through strong connections, shared learning, and whole-family solutions. 🤝

That’s why we continue to convene our 2-GEN Coalition—bringing together schools, nonprofits, healthcare, community organizations, and other partners to strengthen outcomes for children and families across our region.

Our upcoming session will focus on Health & Well-being, with an emphasis on digital health and the growing impact technology has on children and families. Together, we’ll explore this topic through a 2-Generation lens, discussing how digital habits, mental wellness, access to information, and technology use affect both caregivers and children—and what communities can do to support healthier outcomes.

The session will feature a panel of local voices and perspectives from /KBXE, , and Aitkin-Itasca-Koochiching Community Health Board (CHB) as we learn together and explore practical strategies that support healthier outcomes for children and families.

Whether you’re already engaged in family-centered work or simply interested in learning more, we welcome new voices and perspectives to the conversation.

📍 Blandin Foundation + Zoom
📅 May 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🔗 Learn more: uwlakes.org/2gen