MN Elks Lodge #1599

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is preparing for the exciting return of our Power of the Purse fundraising event to Koochiching County! The Wicked! –themed event will take place May 8, 2026, at Minnesota Elks Lodge #1599 in International Falls. Emcee Julie Ehrman will be joined by keynote speaker Maria Vollum and auction leader Erik Strand!

All proceeds from this event will support the youth programming UWNEMN operates directly in Koochiching County communities. Hundreds of local youth and their families benefit from these programs, including Buddy Backpacks (weekend meal kits for students at-risk of hunger), Imagination Library (free monthly books to children ages 0-5), Lunch Buddies (pairs screened, trained mentors with elementary age students), Meet Up and Chow Down (free summer lunch program), Step Into School (back-to-school shoe shopping), and Youth United (scholarship contest).