Head of the Lakes United Way

08/13/2026

Are you looking for your child to build confidence and learn how to safely care for children? Head of the Lakes United Way is offering FREE Babysitting Certification Classes for youth ages 11+.

In partnership with local organizations, these classes teach essential childcare skills, safety, basic first aid, and what to do in an emergency all while promoting leadership and responsibility.

Training info:
⭐Thursday, August 27th | 9am-5pm
- Hermantown Police Department Training Center

Register on our website and stay tuned for more dates and locations! Learn more here: hlunitedway.org/babysitting

American Red Cross in Minnesota

08/13/2026

Gain the confidence and knowledge to make a difference as a nonprofit board member!

This training covers key board basics and offers the chance to connect with local nonprofit leaders to learn what they value in board members. Presented by Boreal Waters Community Foundation, Head of the Lakes United Way, and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

There are still openings for the September's Be on Board in Duluth so head over and register today!

08/12/2026

Meet the Team:

This week we're introducing Erin Grabinger, our Development Director, who joined Head of the Lakes United Way in August 2021.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲?
I believe in our work at HLUW because our community is stronger when we work together. I'm proud of the small part I play in ensuring all our neighbors have access to crucial resources, because everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚/𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧?
I love the natural beauty of the Northland! I came to this region for Lake Superior, and I stayed for the incredible sense of community we have here.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐛?
My first real job was writing for my local newspaper!

Thank you, Erin, for your passion, dedication, and commitment to helping strengthen our communities every day.

08/11/2026

Our story began in 1922, when local leaders came together to create the Duluth Community Fund with a shared belief that communities are stronger when people work together to meet local needs.

Over the past century, our organization has evolved alongside the communities we serve. Our name has changed, our service area has grown, and the challenges facing our neighbors have shifted. But one thing has remained constant: our commitment to strengthening our communities by uniting people and resources.

Today, we're proud to serve communities across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, working every day to improve health, education, and financial stability for every person in every community we serve.

This is just the beginning! Follow along as we share stories, milestones, and memorable moments from our history and look ahead to what's next for Head of the Lakes United Way.

08/07/2026

Our neighbors need us.

The historic closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has created a ripple effect throughout our region. For many small businesses, workers, and families, the closure means lost income during a critical time of year.
At Head of the Lakes United Way, we believe that when our communities face a challenge, we face it together.

Our Disaster Relief Fund is helping provide support to individuals and small businesses experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of the wildfires and related closure of the Boundary Waters. But we need our community to help us meet the need.

Give today. Your donation can help a local business weather an unexpected setback, help a family make ends meet, or provide a little breathing room during a difficult season.

📅 Applications for individuals and small businesses open August 14.

When we unite, we can help our neighbors through tough times and strengthen our communities together.
https://hlunitedway.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/21117

08/06/2026

Volunteer Opportunity:
Who: Stone Soup Cafe
When: Continuing opportunity
Where: Ashland, WI

Stone Soup is a pay-as-you-can cafe dedicated to increasing access to healthy food in the Chequamegon Bay. They are open on Thursdays 4-6pm, Fridays 11am-2pm, and Saturday 11am-2pm for nutritious community meals. The space is also available for groups and meetings with the priority is to welcome everyone, regardless of ability to pay!

Volunteers help kitchen managers prep food on Thursdays and Fridays, help serve lunches on Saturdays either in the kitchen helping plate food and do dishes, or as a server who takes orders and delivers food. They also rely on volunteers to help with cleaning tasks, laundry, and to run certain errands like filling water jugs at the artesian well and donating produce or foodstuffs from their own garden or pantry!

Find out more here: https://hlunitedwayvolunteer.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=1123331

08/06/2026

🍕 Check this out!

All throughout August, participating Pizza Hut locations are helping support our local community. For every Back-to-School meal bundle purchased, $2 will be donated to Head of the Lakes United Way! ❤️

Every purchase helps support local work that responds to what our neighbors need, from school readiness to family stability and support during difficult moments.

Visit the participating Pizza Huts:
📍101 E Central Entrance, Duluth
📍5501 Grand Ave, Duluth

For online orders, use code M02 (M zero two). For in-store orders, mention the offer at checkout. One coupon per order.

Thank you to our local Pizza Hut team for giving back to the community they serve! ❤️ Pizza Hut

08/05/2026

School is just around the corner, and you can help local students start the year prepared! 🍎✏️🚌

This week, we're taking Stuff the Bus on the road—and we'd love to see you!
📍 Thursday, August 6
Breakwater Restaurant (Ashland) | Noon–4 p.m.

📍 Friday, August 7
Duluth Huskies | Starting at 5 p.m.

Stop by to:
- Donate school supplies
- Meet Jaci and the Head of the Lakes United Way team
- Learn how your support is making a difference across our region

We're collecting notebooks, crayons, glue, pencils, markers, backpacks, folders, and other classroom essentials. Every donation goes directly to helping local students and teachers start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.
Can't make it? Share this post to help spread the word!

Together, let's Stuff the Bus and give every student a stronger start to the school year. Find more information here: https://hlunitedway.org/stuff-the-bus/

08/05/2026

Join us tomorrow at Breakwater Restaurant ! They are kindly offering $5 off of your meal if you donate three or more new school supplies.

Hope to see you there!

Bring in your donation of 3 items and get a coupon for $5.00 off at Breakwater Restaurant.They will be here from 12 to 4 pm.

08/05/2026

Meet Our Board:

This week we're introducing Allison Hanig-Landrus, Chair of Head of the Lakes United Way Board of Directors. Allison joined the board in January 2024 and works at American Family Insurance.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐲?
I truly believe in HLUW's mission of bringing people and resources together to solve some of our community's biggest challenges. No single organization can do it alone—but when nonprofits, businesses, volunteers, and community members work together, we can create lasting change.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐚/𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧?
We live in a truly incredible part of the world. Between the amazing natural beauty and the genuine spirit of the people of our region, I feel fortunate to call the Head of the Lakes United Way region my adopted home.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐣𝐨𝐛?
I worked for Neighborhood House, a community center in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I attended their summer day camps growing up and eventually worked for the camp. It was the start of my strong conviction that bringing community together can strengthen us all.

Thank you, Allison, for your leadership, service, and commitment to helping strengthen our communities.

Allison Hanig-Landrus - American Family Insurance Agent