Over 150 volunteers of all ages gathered in downtown Grand Rapids on June 21st to take part in United Way of 1000 Lakes’ 4th annual Day of Action. A collective 825 hours was garnered (equivalent to $20,790) throughout the day as teams from local businesses and organizations and dozens of individuals completed various projects impacting six community neighborhoods.

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The United Way is accepting donations for the 2016 Health & Hygiene Drive.

The campaign aims to serve Itasca’s most vulnerable residents by supplying them with essential toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, soap and other items as they relate to personal care.

If you are interested in helping, collect new unopened items from home or on your next shopping trip and drop them off at the United Way or other collection sites. Or better yet Coordinate a Collection Box at your office, church, organization, civic group or business. Call 218-999-7570 for instructions.

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United Way Day of Action is an annual event when United Ways throughout the world harness the power of volunteers to positively change communities. This summer, on June 21st, United Way of 1000 Lakes will mobilize hundreds of volunteers to participate in Day of Action projects focused on promoting healthy and active lifestyles for residents of greater Itasca County.

 “The Day of Action is a way for all sectors of our community to unite and work towards accomplishing the common vision of helping others. What you see today is a living testimony of our organization’s mission: to improve lives mobilizing the caring power of our communities,” said Kimberly Brink Smith, United Way executive director.

United Way of 1000 Lakes is coordinating several hands on projects from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (check-in begins at 8:30 a.m.), as well as a community-wide Personal Care Drive June 1st- 21st, to help vulnerable children and adults at risk of meeting their basic needs, including personal care products. The care items will be redistributed to United Way’s nonprofit partners serving disconnected youth, veterans and the homeless throughout the Itasca area.

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The United Way of 1000 Lakes understands the importance of volunteers.

Within each of the 25 non-profit organizations supported by the United Way in Itasca County, hundreds of volunteers give their time to transform their community and support social causes.  They mentor youth, cook meals for the homeless, and fundraise.  They paint and clean up community spaces, and offer companionship to senior citizens. 

“Volunteers really are the center of our community,” said Kimberly Brink-Smith, Director of the United Way of 1000 Lakes. “They are an essential part of the success of United Way and the programs we support.” 

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It was an evening of celebration and recognition on March 24 as United Way of 1,000 Lakes hosted the annual Campaign Celebration and Best of Awards at the Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids. More than 250 investors, grantees, and partners attended the celebration, which included the presentation of awards recognizing the contributions of Itasca area workplaces during the 2015-16 campaign.

While celebrating record-breaking support of its annual community campaign, which raised a grand total of over $294,000, the event raised an additional $5,000 through a Plaid Challenge presented by Minnesota Power. The company pledged $25 for every guest donning plaid that evening.

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GRAND RAPIDS – United Way of 1000 Lakes will host their annual Campaign Celebration and Best of Awards on March 24, 2016 from 4:30-6:30 at Timberlake Lodge to announce campaign results and recognize outstanding community partners and volunteers. The event will feature local jazz guitarist, Sam Miltich, and keynote speaker Al Hodnik, President and CEO of ALLETE. 

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