AURORA – Local and state agencies that can help St. Louis County community members recover from recent

wildfires will be at the Hoyt Lakes Arena June 17th and June 18th for a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) event.

United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is organizing the two-day open-house event which will serve as a

one-stop-shop for impacted residents.

“Recovering from a disaster at the individual and household level is often a lengthy and confusing process,” said St.

Louis County Emergency Management Coordinator Josh Brinkman. “A Multi Agency Resource Center is a way to put

various forms of assistance all under one roof in an attempt to make it easier for residents to find the help that they

might need.”

Agencies are still signing on to participate, and organizers hope for comprehensive resources including financial

assistance, replacement of medical supplies or equipment, emotional and spiritual counseling, cleanup assistance, legal

advice, advocacy with government and insurance claims, and many other services useful following a disaster.

Early participants include St. Louis County Public Health, 2-1-1, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Justice North, UWNEMN, and

Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MNVOAD). MNVOAD plans to have many member agencies

available.

“We hope to see as many of our neighbors affected by this disaster as possible during the MARC,” said MNVOAD

Secretary Steve Hartman.

The MARC has been planned to accommodate a variety of schedules. Food and childcare will be provided. Hours are 3-7

pm June 17th (dinner provided) and 7-11 am June 18th (breakfast provided).

Organizers are working diligently to get the word out about this MARC and ask community members to help spread the

word to neighbors who may benefit.

“In the case of a fire, we don’t have doors to knock on or mailboxes to put flyers in,” Unhjem said. “We are hopeful

that impacted individuals who have not already been contacted by the county or Red Cross will attend so we can

connect them with meaningful resources.”

If you are unable to attend the MARC or have questions prior to the MARC, please contact Emily Unhjem at

emily@unitedwaynemn.org or 218-215-2425.

Since 1966, the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has worked to serve the needs of individuals and families

on the Iron Range (Northern St. Louis County and Eastern Itasca County), Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County.

The organization’s mission is to unite and focus our communities in creating measurable results to improve people’s lives and

strengthen our families. For more information, visit www.unitedwaynemn.org.

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UWNEMN Contact: Katy Lofquist

Creative Director

Phone: 218-215-2423

Email: katy@unitedwaynemn.org