United Way of Northeastern Minnesota organizes multiple events each year to support our programs.
Your participation in these events helps to raise more than $250,000 annually!
Bucks for Backpacks Raffle
December 4, 2025, Sawmill Saloon & Restaurant (Mountain Iron)
Every $100 ticket purchased helps feed local children at-risk of hunger AND enters you to win big cash prizes. Click here to learn more and get your tickets while they last!
Power of the Purse
January 29, 2026, Iron Trail Motors Event Center (Virginia)
The 18th annual Power of the Purse event will unite costumed ticketholders to play games and bid on fabulous packages to support Imagination Library. Tickets will open for this year's "Wicked" themed event on December 8th. Guarantee your seat early by securing an event sponsorship!
United for Veterans Bingo Night
2026 Details TBA
The International Falls VFW has hosted Bingo Night in support of United Way of Northeastern Minnesota's United for Veterans program for three years! Click here for 2025 event results.
Beans Bags for the Brave
2026 Event Details TBA
Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) and Park State Bank united in 2025 to bring AP's popular Duluth charity bean bag tournament to the Iron Range, and they selected UWNEMN's United for Veterans program as the beneficiary! Click here to see last year's event results.
Annual Celebration (60th Anniversary Gala)
May 2026 Event Details TBA
Join us in celebrating the local workplaces, organizations, and individuals for the way they've united to change lives over the past 60 years. Stay tuned for more details!
Flavor of the North
April 23, 2026, Club Mesabi - Range Recreation Civic Center (Eveleth)
Taste the best dishes local restaurants have to offer and vote for your favorites, plus bid on items in our biggest auction of the year to support Buddy Backpacks. Stay tuned for ticket details; tickets sell out in hours! Click here for details on last year's event winners and fundraising results.
Power of the Purse
May 8, 2026, MN Elks Lodge #1599 (International Falls)
This popular themed event is making its much-anticipated return to Koochiching County. All proceeds will support local youth programming. More details coming soon; contact elizabeth@unitedwaynemn.org to secure your seat early by sponsoring this event!
United for Veterans Cash Raffle Drawing Party
May 2026 Event Details TBA
Cash raffle tickets are on sale now; one in every 10 sold is a winner, and all proceeds benefit local veterans through UWNEMN's United for Veterans program. Click here for the results of last year's raffle.
$10,000 Golf Ball Drop
July 30, 2026, Eshquaguma Country Club (Gilbert)
Purchase a golf ball for Drop 1, Drop 2, or both to be dropped from a crane onto a golf green. If your ball goes in the hole, you win cash! All proceeds support Buddy Backpacks. Click here to see the results of last year's drop!
Restaurant Week
August 10-16, 2026, Koochiching County
Dine out to give back! For one week a year, Koochiching County restaurants donate portions of their food and beverage sales to support local UWNEMN programs and partner agencies. Click here to see 2025 specials!
Make a difference AND earn special event perks by sponsoring and/or donating an auction or raffle item to support one or more of this year's UWNEMN events!
Call UWNEMN Resource Development and Events Director Elizabeth Kelly at 218-295-2424 to learn more.