Lakes Area UW

JOIN THE LAKES AREA UNITED WAY & HUBBARD RADIO BRAINERD FOR OUR STUFF-A-BUS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES CAMPAIGN!
Help students in the area get the school supplies they need for the school year!
Donations are being accepted through Thursday, Sept. 5.
Simply drop off school supplies at the following locations to help us STUFF-A-BUS!
Tasty Pizza - Pequot Lakes
Aitkin County Government Center
Bremer Bank - Aitkin location
Cub Foods - Brainerd and Baxter
Ace Hardware - Nisswa and Brainerd
Home Instead
Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center
Todd Wright's Country Financial in Pillager

Watch for more information to come about the Stuff-A-Bus party on Friday, Sept. 6!

Thank you to the Nisswa Lions Club for the generous grant supporting our Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program. Each month over 1,400 kids in Cass, Crow Wing and Aitkin counties receive books through the program.
Your generosity and support is very much appreciated!
To learn more about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library or to support the program visit unitedwaynow.org.

Get to know Executive Director Bob Gragson during his debut appearance on Community Focus.
Save the date for our upcoming Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and we also announce our theme for 2024!
Don't forget to support the Stuff-The-Bus campaign collecting school supplies for students in area districts!

08-06-2024 Community Focus Lakes Area United Way – WJJY 106.7 Our guests today included Lakes Area United Way Executive Director, Bob Gragson, and Lakes Area United Way Marketing Coordinator Tracy Wallin.

FINAL DAYS TO VOTE!
Lakes Area United Way has been nominated for Best Nonprofit Organization in the Brainerd Dispatch's Best of Brainerd Lakes contest! We would appreciate your support! Contest ends on July 31!
Vote at https://www.brainerddispatch.com/bestofbrainerdlakes #//

The Lakes Area United Way (LAUW) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Gragson as the new Executive Director, effective July 8.

Gragson brings a wealth of experience in leadership within both the nonprofit and private sectors. According to Kim Blank, Board Chair, "Bob brings a wealth of experience, working with United Ways, both larger and smaller, in his career. We are excited to have his expertise to support the continued stability and growth of Lakes Area United Way."

In his new role, Gragson will oversee strategic initiatives, cultivate community partnerships, and spearhead fundraising efforts to ensure that LAUW continues its mission of addressing critical needs for residents of Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin Counties. With 17 years of executive and development experience with United Ways in Washington, New Mexico, Ohio, and Colorado, Gragson is well-equipped to lead LAUW into its next phase of impact.

LAUW local initiatives encompass programs such as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Stuff-A-Bus, Born Learning Trail, and the Mobile Food Pantry. Additionally, LAUW supports 15 local partner programs focusing on education, health, and financial stability.

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Gragson stated, “I am honored to have the opportunity here at Lakes Area United Way. I look forward to working closely with staff, volunteers, and community leaders and partners to further our mission and make a lasting difference in our community through building a thriving United Way.”

Gragson succeeds Jon Aga, who transitioned to the role of Associate Vice President of Advancement at Central Lakes College in May after serving as Executive Director of Lakes Area United Way since September 2021.

The United Way fishing tournament is only days away!
Get your team registered for a chance to win big prizes in both the walleye and bass categories!
The next ten teams that register from the Lakes Area United Way area will receive a $20 gift card to Tutt's Bait and Tackle in Garrison!
For full details visit https://www.unitedwaynow.org/FishingTourney.

Lakes Area United Way has been nominated for Best Nonprofit Organization in the Brainerd Dispatch's Best of Brainerd Lakes contest!

It is an honor to have been nominated for this award and our pleasure to serve Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin Counties. All of the nominees are well-deserving non-profit organizations. Our community is the real winner in having all of these organizations here to serve our friends and neighbors in the Brainerd Lakes Area.

We would appreciate your support! Voting is open through July 31 at https://www.brainerddispatch.com/bestofbrainerdlakes #//

DO YOU LOVE TO FISH?
Check out our United Way Fishing Tournament coming up on July 20 & 21. For more information including prizes visit https://www.unitedwaynow.org/FishingTourney. This is a great opportunity to spend time on the lake while also supporting the Lakes Area United Way!

Reminder that TOMORROW, Thursday, July 11, is the monthly Mobile Food Pantry in the CLC west parking lot. Distribution starts at 10am and goes while supplies last.
For more information or for other Mobile Food Pantry locations visit https://secondharvestnorthland.org/find-food/mobile-food-pantry-program/

Just a reminder that the Mobile Food Pantry monthly distribution is Thursday, July 11, starting at 10am. For more information visit https://secondharvestnorthland.org/find-food/mobile-food-pantry-program/

Fishing, Mobile Food Pantry, Stuff-A-Bus, Partner Programs and more are covered in this segment of Community Focus.
Thank you 106.7 WJJY and Hubbard Radio for letting us be part of Community Focus!

07-02-2024 Community Focus Lakes Area United Way – WJJY 106.7 Our guest today is Tracy Wallin, Marketing Coordinator, Lakes Area United Way.

Please note the change in schedule - the July Mobile Food Pantry will be held on Thursday, July 11.

Congratulations to Tony Wille of Bemidji!
Tony was the winner of the Early Bird Registration prize - two St. Croix combos donated by Timberline Sports-N-Convenience.
Be sure to get your team registered for the Fishing Tournament!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS SOON!!
Register for the United Way Fishing Tournament by June 30 to be entered in a drawing to win 2 St. Croix Combos!

A big thank you to everyone that attended our Llama Llama Read-O-Rama event on Saturday! We appreciate all of the community support in making our event such a success:
- Thank you to our sponsors Deerwood Bank, Schrupp Excavating
- The Crossing Arts Alliance for making the creativity kits.
- Ted Feyder for performing live music
- Keith Binggeli for providing sound equipment
- Northland Arboretum for hosting our event
- Brainerd Elks volunteers who guided parking
- Brainerd Lakes Area Lions Breakfast Club and Schaefer's Foods for providing the hotdog lunch
- Cub Foods for donating cookies and juice
- Painted Turtle for the fun face painting
- Touch a Truck participants: Brainerd Police Department, Brainerd Fire Department, Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, and Crow Wing County Highway Department
- Tess Taylor from Hubbard Radio for being our emcee
- WonderTrek Children's Museum for the fun, interactive play spaces
- Nisswa Family Fun Waterpark for donating passes for our raffle baskets
- To all of our guest readers: Christian, Kristin, Brittany, Rebecca, Kelli, Jenny, Drew, Lee and Lola

The Llama Llama Read-O-Rama focuses on literacy and education for our youngest readers. The Lakes Area United Way is the community partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program. We currently have 1,300 kids in Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties enrolled in the program that receive books each month. If you would like to sponsor a child for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program, donate online at unitedwaynow.org and click the donate button.

This activity was made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

Come out today and join the reading fun at our Llama Llama Read-O-Rama going until 1:00 at the Northland Arboretum!

LLAMA LLAMA READ-O-RAMA IS TOMORROW!
Join the fun at our annual reading celebration from 10am-1pm at the Northland Arboretum! This event is FREE to the public and focuses on children ages 0-8. Activities will include special guests reading books from our local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, WonderTrek on Wheels, face painting, creativity kits, touch-a-truck area, hot dog lunch and snacks! The event is outdoors so please dress accordingly.
This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Brainerd Lakes Area Lions Breakfast Club volunteers are providing a hot dog lunch during our Llama Llama Read-O-Rama. There is no charge for the lunch, but free will donations are appreciated.
Thank you also to the Nisswa Lions Club and Schaefer's Foods for supporting our event!

Lions Breakfast Club | Breakfast Club | Brainerd, MN, USA The Lions Breakfast Club is a community nonprofit that meets monthly to discuss ways to support their community. Events open to the public as well as member's projects are listed as well as how to get involved.

Bring the kiddos to come and explore the Touch-A-Truck area of our Llama Llama Read-O-Rama event on Saturday, June 22 from 10am-1pm at the Northland Arboretum! This is also a great opportunity for kids to be introduced to emergency personnel in a friendly environment!
Other events include:
• Imagination Library Books Read by Special Guests
• WonderTrek on Wheels
• Creativity Kits from The Crossing Arts Alliance
• Hot Dog Lunch prepared by Brainerd Breakfast Club Lions (provided by Schaefer’s Foods)
• Live Music by Ted Feyder
• Snacks (provided by Cub Foods)

Registration is now open for the United Way Fishing Tournament!!
Please share this opportunity with all the people in your lives that love to fish!

Bass and Walleye Categories!
Fishing begins on Saturday, July 20, at 6 am through Sunday, July 21 at 6 pm.
First Prize: $4,000; Second Prize: $2,000, First Prize: $1,000.
Fish any lake within Crow Wing, Cass, Aitkin, Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard counties along with the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes.
For more information visit https://www.unitedwaynow.org/FishingTourney

We are excited to have the WonderTrek Children's Museum join us with some of their mobile play units at our Llama Llama Read-O-Rama on Saturday, June 22, from 10am-1pm at the Northland Arboretum!

During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Friday, June 7, to Sunday, June 9, Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing. Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is one of the many outdoor opportunities available to Minnesotans during Great Outdoors Month. Saturday, June 8 is also Free Park Day when all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed!

While you are out fishing be sure to scout out your fishing spot for our upcoming Fishing Tournament! Watch for registration opening soon!

Take a Kid Fishing Weekend is this Friday through Sunday : Jun 3, 2024 | News release During Take a Kid Fishing Weekend Friday, June 7 to Sunday, June 9, Minnesota residents can fish without licenses if they take children 15 or younger fishing — and fishing is one way among many to enjoy Great Outdoors Month (June).

Mark your calendars to join the Lakes Area United Way for our annual reading celebration on Saturday, June 22nd, from 10am-1pm at the Northland Arboretum! This event is FREE to the public and focuses on children ages 0-8. Activities will include special guests reading books from our local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, WonderTrek on Wheels, face painting, creativity kits, touch-a-truck area, hot dog lunch and snacks!
This activity is made possible, in part, by the voters of Minnesota, through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

SUN (Summer Nutrition Program) meals are available Monday, June 10 through Wednesday, August 21!

Reminder that TOMORROW, Thursday, June 6, is the monthly Mobile Food Pantry in the CLC west parking lot. Distribution starts at 10am and goes while supplies last.
For more information or for other Mobile Food Pantry locations visit https://secondharvestnorthland.org/find-food/mobile-food-pantry-program/

On this segment of Community Focus Tracy Wallin of the Lakes Area United Way is joined by Tammy Larsen, Director of the Lakes Area Food Shelf.
Listen to find out about the work being done by the Lakes Area United Way and The Lakes Area Food Shelf!

06-04-2024 Community Focus Lakes Area United Way and the Lakes Area Food Shelf – WJJY 106.7 Our guests today included Tracy Wallin, Marketing Coordinator, Lakes Area United Way, and Tammy Larson, Director, Lakes Area Food Shelf.

Just a reminder that the Mobile Food Pantry monthly distribution is Thursday, June 6, starting at 10am. For more information visit https://secondharvestnorthland.org/find-food/mobile-food-pantry-program/

SPONSORSHIP DEADLINE IS TODAY!!

Support the Lakes Area United Way as you fish on any lake in Crow Wing, Cass, Aitkin, Beltrami, Hubbard and Clearwater Counties, along with the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes!

For sponsorship information reach out to
Tracy Wallin at [email protected] or
Cory Heinen at [email protected]
Download the sponsorship form at www.unitedwaynow.org/FishingTourney

Registration for the Fishing Tournament will be opening in early June!
Watch unitedwaynow.org or Facebook for more information!

Support the Lakes Area United Way as you fish on any lake in Crow Wing, Cass, Aitkin, Beltrami, Hubbard and Clearwater counties, along with the Cass Lake Chain of Lakes!

For sponsorship information reach out to
Tracy Wallin at [email protected] or
Cory Heinen at [email protected]

Sponsorship deadline is Friday, May 24!

Registration for the Fishing Tournament will be opening soon!
Watch unitedwaynow.org or Facebook for more information!