For the third year in a row, local individuals, businesses, and organizations have united to raise more than $2,000,000 in support of United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) partners and programs throughout the Iron Range, Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County.
Funding was collected throughout 2024, primarily via workplace campaigns and events and will this year be re-invested in 28 local nonprofits, 13 food shelves, 14 libraries’ summer reading programs, and 10 UWNEMN-led programs. Last year, UWNEMN partners and programs impacted the lives of more than 100,000 local people.
These results – and many of the donors, volunteers, and agencies who made them possible – were recognized last month at UWNEMN’s Annual Celebration held March 27th at the Minnesota Discovery Center. Awards were presented to:
- Lifesaver Award – Buddy Backpacks “Prep Crew” Volunteers (Mike & Joan Norton, Kevin & Susan Connor, Brian & Sharon Keute, Connie Kotonias, Ben Castagneri & Debbie Stalboerger, Bob & Kris Clover, Deb Boulley, Ellen Lunstrom, and Brandy Westerberg)
- Lifesaver Award – Buddy Backpacks International Falls “Delivery Crew” Volunteers (Minnesota Industries, Julie & Terry Ehrman, Jed Becker, Tom Shaff, Tom Sakry, Terry Schultz, Craig Schmidt, Rick Hoglum, Rick Debenedete, Jim Collishaw, Scott Gerlach, and Jeff Veeder)
- Lifesaver Award – Ayden Nash, Elm Lawn Dairy
- Campaign Award – Miners National Bank of Eveleth
- Campaign Award – CAST Corporation/CAST 7
- Campaign Award – Glacier Park Iron Ore Properties
- Leadership Award – Park State Bank
- Spirit Award – North Star Community Credit Union
- Spirit Award – Amanda Pihlaja, Park State Bank
- Spirit Award – Matt Hiti, Cleveland-Cliffs Hibbing Taconite, USW Local 2705
- Agency of the Year – Range Transitional Housing
- Youth United Contest Winners – Shay Busch (Mountain Iron Buhl Public School), Caleb Buus (Hibbing High School), Ava Dahl (Rock Ridge High School), Cassandra Dahl (Mountain Iron Buhl Public School), Lillia Elberg (Homeschool), Olivia Sallila (Hibbing High School), and Amber Sopoci (North Woods School)
Keynote speaker and incoming UWNEMN board member, NewRange Copper Nickel Tribal Relations Advisor Jenna Lehti, thanked the “countless quiet heroes” who make UWNEMN’s impact possible.
“United Way isn’t just a name or a logo - it’s a lifeline, a bridge, a hand extended when someone is in crisis, and a spark of hope when families are navigating tough times,” she said, noting the 100,000+ lives touched by UWNEMN’s programs and partners is nearly one third of the region’s population. “The work you do—quietly, consistently and compassionately—is the backbone of so much good that happens across our communities.”
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While the evening was celebratory, the region’s economic challenges were also present on the mind of attendees and organizers alike.
This is the third mining downturn in UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay’s 20 years with the organization. While the downturn is expected to have a negative impact on UWNEMN’s fundraising capabilities in the year ahead, as an iron miner’s daughter whose father lost his job when LTV closed, Shay said her main concern is the fear and uncertainty local families are currently facing.
“My experiences tell me that at some point, our region will come out on the other side - maybe changed in some ways, but still strong,” Shay said. “We will continue to face these challenges head-on until we reach the other side, knowing that our mission is more important than ever.”
UWNEMN’s eight staff members carry out the organization’s programming with the support of donors and volunteers, led by a board of directors. Incoming and retiring board members were also announced during UWNEMN’s Annual Celebration: James Helms (Essentia Health), Traci Millerbernd (City of Biwabik), and Lehti joined this year’s UWNEMN Board of Directors. Retiring from the board this year are Simon Charter (NewRange Copper Nickel), Jennie Cornwell (Cleveland-Cliffs Northshore Mine USW Local 2955), Paul Janssen (Paul J. Janssen CPA), Breanne Katrin (Delta Air Lines), Julie Lucas (MiningMinnesota), Robb Peterson (Cleveland-Cliffs United Taconite), Jim Skalski (Iracore International), and Nikki Skifstad (Community Member).
Returning board members include: Chrissy Bartovich (U. S. Steel Minnesota Ore Operations), Chad Buus (U. S. Steel Minnesota Ore Operations), Eric Clement (Minnesota Power), Jennifer Clement (LISC Duluth), Dean DeBeltz (Twin Metals Minnesota), Alicia Dick (Northeast Service Cooperative), Jack Furlong (Ameriprise Financial), LaTisha Gietzen (Kalenborn Abresist Corporation), Sunnie Hardy (AMSOIL, Inc.), Matt Hiti (Cleveland-Cliffs Hibbing Taconite, USW Local 2705), Jaime Johnson (Cleveland-Cliffs Minorca Mine), Ashley Kjenaas (NorthRidge Community Credit Union), April Klander (Fairview Range), Stacy Kuusinen (BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota), Shari McGregor-Overbye (AMCAST), Jeannie Nobens (Range Development Company), Mike Norton (Retired, Cleveland-Cliffs United Taconite), Amanda Pihlaja (Park State Bank), Nick Renollet (Lakehead Constructors Inc.), Jennie Rowland (Bois Forte Band of Chippewa), and Greg Schulzetenberg (Lake Country Power).
Buus was elected 2025 UWNEMN Board President. Outgoing president Gietzen called Buus active and engaging, voicing confidence that UWNEMN’s team will be successful in navigating the challenges ahead under his leadership.
“My time on the board of directors has instilled in me a confidence that our team and communities are resilient and can tackle whatever challenges come our way,” Gietzen said. “This resilience comes from our collective willingness to work together for the betterment of our neighbors and communities.”
When people choose to invest in their community with UWNEMN, they eventually find a way to get more involved, Buus noted.
“We are fortunate to have a world class team working for us in Chisholm, and it’s energizing to be a part of,” he said. “It’s a very mission-oriented organization with a “do what it takes to get the job done” culture which results in finding ways to do big things in our backyard.”