United Way of NE Minnesota holding Volunteer Luncheon
Instead of saying “thank you,” United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is showing its gratitude for the volunteers organizers say make their work possible.
The organization is hosting its first annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon June 24th at The Library bistro in International Falls. The event will be open-house style; guests are invited to stop by any time between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to enjoy a complementary meal, connect with each other, and get to know UWNEMN staff.
UWNEMN’s newest team member, Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator Emily Unhjem is particularly excited to get to know the local volunteers she considers “essentially extended members of our team.”
In 2024, local donors and volunteers helped UWNEMN accomplish the following in Koochiching County:
- Deliver 2,450 Buddy Backpacks to students at-risk of hunger
- Stabilize two families recovering from crisis with Comforts of Home essentials
- Mail 4,946 Imagination Library books directly to the homes of local children under age five
- Mentor three Lunch Buddies elementary students
- Provide 36patients of all ages with free or reduced cost dental care through its Smiles United partnership with Children’s Dental Services
- Take 61 students shopping for new athletic shoes through the Step Into School back-to-school program (applications for this year’s program are now open!)
- Pack and deliver 25 United for Veterans holiday meal kits to local veterans in need
- Supply 75 hats, mittens, and snow pants to schools through its new Winter Warm Up initiative
New this summer, volunteers are also helping UWNEMN and Backus Community Center provide free summer lunches Monday-Thursday from 12 – 1 pm through UWNEMN’s Meet Up and Chow Down program.
In addition to operating its own programming, UWNEMN mobilizes volunteers for and provides financial support to other local non-profit agencies. Its 2025 Partner Agencies are Friends Against Abuse, Koochiching Aging Options, and Salvation Army International Falls. UWNEMN also provides financial support to Koochiching County Food Access and International Falls Public Library’s summer reading program and serves as the fiscal agent for the Community Cancer Walk.
She then shares what so of the up-cand-coming events are for United Way programming.
Going back to the Luncheon that will be honoring these volunteers, what’s on the menu for them?
For anyone who would like to become a volunteer with United Way of Northeast Minnesota, Elizabeth May shares how best to sign up.
Since 1966, the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has worked to serve the needs of individuals and families on the Iron Range (Northern St. Louis County and Eastern Itasca County), Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County. The organization’s mission is to unite and focus our communities in creating measurable results to improve people’s lives and strengthen our families. For more information, visit www.unitedwaynemn.org.