More than 140 volunteers rolled up their sleeves on Tuesday, June 17, to take part in United Way of 1000 Lakes’ twelfth annual Day of Action—a community-wide event dedicated to revitalizing spaces, uplifting neighborhoods, and creating a stronger, more connected Itasca County.

Throughout the day, volunteers completed more than 20 service projects at public spaces, schools, and parks across the City of Cohasset. Projects were as diverse as the teams tackling them—from painting and trail maintenance to construction, landscaping, and distributing resources.

At Cohasset Elementary School, volunteers constructed two new picnic tables and brightened the playground with freshly painted foursquare courts. Across town at Portage Park, teams made major improvements by posting new trail navigation signs, resurfacing the basketball court, painting the ice rink, and spreading new sand at the playground.

“This kind of collaboration is what makes Cohasset such a special place,” expressed Stephanie Kessler, City of Cohasset Parks and Recreation Coordinator. “We’re grateful to United Way and all the volunteers who showed up to lend a hand. Their work not only improves public spaces but brings our community closer together.”

City beautification efforts were also in full swing, with crews painting fire hydrants, crosswalks, and speed bumps, while the post office and city garage received a fresh coat of exterior paint. Meanwhile, other volunteers turned their attention to animal welfare, crafting dog toys for Great Tails Animal Rescue, which is set to break ground on a new facility in Cohasset in summer 2025.

Outdoor recreation also received a boost as volunteers maintained sections of the North Country Trail, worked on a new primitive campsite, and cleared debris from mountain bike trails at the Tioga Recreation Area trailhead. At Tioga Beach, they built a new information kiosk and refreshed the playground with new surfacing sand.

In addition to hands-on improvement projects, Day of Action featured a community resource initiative focused on energy efficiency. Volunteers, alongside Lake Country Power staff, distributed home energy kits to more than 150 households near Cohasset City Hall—providing residents with simple tools to reduce energy use and lower utility bills.

“These kits empower homeowners to make small changes that add up,” said Monique Sandquist, lead volunteer from Lake Country Power. “With items like faucet aerators, weather stripping, and LED light bulbs, families can take easy steps to cut energy costs and increase comfort at home.”

“Day of Action is a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community comes together,” said Kim Brink Smith, Executive Director of United Way of 1000 Lakes. “We’re incredibly grateful to every volunteer—from individuals to company teams—who gave their time, energy, and heart to make a difference. Their dedication helped beautify our community, improve public spaces, and support neighbors in meaningful ways.”

The success of Day of Action would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors. United Way extends its deepest thanks to this year’s Platinum Sponsors: Minnesota Power and Paul Bunyan Communications, and Gold Sponsors: Blandin Foundation, Essentia Health, Lake Country Power, Timbercraft Homes, and Woodland Bank. Their commitment drives the day forward, building connections and creating visible impact throughout the community.

To learn more about United Way’s volunteer programs and community impact efforts, visit uwlakes.org.