Michelle Lampton

Michelle joined the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota team in April of 2018. She is a Duluth native, and she moved to the Iron Range in 2009. Michelle earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a double major in Education. She has been working in the human services field for the last 17 years.  “Through my work at UWNEMN, I am able to utilize my previous experience as I help the organization carry out our direct-service programming," she said.

Erin Shay

After completing her Bachelor's Degree at the College of St. Scholastica, Erin opted to move back to her "home on the Range" where she came to find her position with the United Way in October of 2004. She has been able to fulfill her passion for working with people whether it is meeting with area employees to talk about the good things United Way does, planning a United Way event, or working on the ever-growing list of community impact initiatives the United Way coordinates. "It's amazing to me the amount of people I've been able to meet through United Way," she said.

Koochiching County communities unite for “Winter Warm Up”

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is taking steps to ensure Koochiching County children stay warm, safe, and active as temperatures drop through its “Winter Warm Up” project last week.

Through the project, UWNEMN purchased 75 hats, pairs of snow pants, and pairs of gloves/mittens and delivered them to schools county-wide with the help of local volunteers this month; 50 of each item was delivered to Falls Elementary, 15 of each was delivered to Littlefork-Big Falls, and 10 of each were delivered to Northome School.

UWNEMN's free babysitter trainings expand to Koochiching County

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has opened registration for three no-cost babysitter trainings this winter.

Trainings are scheduled for January 2 at Backus Community Center in International Falls as well as January 20 and February 17 at UWNEMN’s building in Chisholm. All trainings take place from 9 am to 4:30 pm and are led by American Red Cross certified instructor, Mountain Iron Public Library Director & Events Coordinator, Anna Amundson.

Community can help make United for Veterans Retreat possible for local veterans

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s United for Veterans Retreat will be held January 17-19, 2025, at Grand Ely Lodge. Organizers and veterans alike are looking forward to the event.

“There was something really special about the last retreat that I hope is recaptured this year and continues each year,” said UWNEMN Community Impact Coordinator Michelle Lampton.

Second annual Youth United Contest opens Nov. 1st

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)'s second annual Youth United Contest opens November 1, 2024, to high school seniors across the organization’s service area (Iron Range, Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County).

The contest will award up to $10,000 in scholarships among students who answer the question, “what do you see as the biggest need or challenge in your community, and what are your thoughts on how UWNEMN or similar groups can meet that need or address that challenge?”