Lakes Area Heroes

09/23/2026

We're excited to partner with Lakes Area United Way for this year's Community Heroes Chili Cook-Off!

Local firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, dispatch, and corrections can enjoy this event for FREE! Public is welcome to join for $10 at the door. Proceeds go towards Lakes Area United Way!

Join us on Wednesday, October 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Pacific Center for some delicious chili while we celebrate the heroes who serve our community every day!

09/22/2026

Sometimes partnerships deserve an extra big thank you.

From serving as the presenting sponsor of our Lakes Area Heroes Banquet to continuing to support our Return the Favor Fleet, AutoSmith has shown up for our mission in so many ways.

Their team has generously covered all repairs for the Return the Favor Fleet, helping us keep it on the road and continuing to represent what this community is all about.

Support like this allows Lakes Area Heroes to keep showing up for the people who show up for our community every day.

We are incredibly grateful for AutoSmith and their continued partnership, generosity, and belief in our mission. Thank you for being such an important part of Lakes Area Heroes. 💙

09/18/2026

All first responders and family members in Crow Wing, Cass, Morrison, and Aitkin Counties are welcome to attend an afternoon of family fun!

In partnership with Thrivent Financial your admission into Safari North Zoo and food are free for you and your family.

RSVP IS REQUIRED - please click on the link below to reserve your spots.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-responder-appreciation-event-tickets-1999402145640?fbclid=IwY2xjawUaUGFwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXlmYlJMTFliNUZSR2hYYnBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeQrodF9SWInQRYUrtNIO_O7xoyQL-DX4Zdxbf8XNTFDZ7HR9genAymOVzwOE_aem_zqEe7Y9yKlXZikqGFp41PQ

📍Safari North Wildlife Park
📅 Saturday, September 26
⏱️2:00pm

09/17/2026

So grateful to work alongside Smiles for Jake Movement in this mission. 💙 600+ kits delivered and so many more heroes to reach!

🤩 Team Members from Smiles for Jake & Lakes Area Heroes gathered this morning to pack an additional 300 Smiles for Hero kits, and made a special delivery to the Crow Wing County Sheriff's department with 165 of these kits!

💙Our Smiles for Heroes Kits are filled with Mental Health Resources, goodies and hand written notes as a way to say THANK YOU to our local heroes and remind each of them to take care of their mental health first.

🩵Our team has now officially deliver 600+ kits throughout Region 5 and will continue to deliver an additional 400 kits over the next couple of months!

Thank you for your continued support to this initiative.

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office

09/16/2026

A morning well spent. 💙

We got together to pack another round of Smiles for Heroes kits for first responders throughout our region.

Every kit is packed with mental health resources, encouragement, a few treats, and most importantly, a reminder that the people who spend their days showing up for others have a community showing up for them, too.

One kit at a time, we’re reminding our local heroes that they are seen, supported, and appreciated.

We’re grateful for every set of hands that helps us keep this initiative going.

Learn more: https://www.lakesareaheroes.com/smiles-for-heroes

09/11/2026

We will never forget.

We will never forget the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

We will never forget the first responders who ran toward danger while others were running away. The men and women who answered the call without knowing what awaited them. The heroes who gave everything in service to others.

And we will never forget the way a nation came together in the days that followed.

25 years later, we remember their courage. We honor their sacrifice. And we carry forward the responsibility to show up for the people who continue to show up for us every single day.

Today, and always, we remember. 🇺🇸

9.11.01 | Never Forget.

09/08/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month. 💙

For the men and women who spend their lives showing up for others, we want to make sure they know someone is showing up for them, too.

This month is an important reminder to check in, start the conversation, listen, and remind the people around us that they don’t have to carry the hard things alone.

To our first responders: you matter. Your mental health matters. And your community is behind you.

08/31/2026

The Return the Favor Fleet is a moving symbol of the community standing behind its local heroes.

By sponsoring the fleet, you're helping spread awareness of our mission and reminding the people who serve our communities that they're seen, valued, and supported.

Want to be part of the Return the Favor Fleet? Learn more about becoming a sponsor: https://www.lakesareaheroes.com/fleet

08/27/2026

It’s First Responder Day at the CRMC Championship! 💙⛳️

The first 100 first responders through the gates TODAY receive FREE VIP access, including unlimited food + beverages!

It’s also Jersey Day, with some familiar Minnesota faces out on the course. 👀

Huge thank you to the CRMC Championship for showing up for our local heroes. We’ll see you out there! 💙

08/26/2026

Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to pack treat bags for our local heroes alongside our friends at Thrivent and a few of the golfers participating in this weekend's CRMC Championship at The Legacy Courses at Cragun's. 💙

A special thank you to everyone who took the time to pack bags with us and be part of this mission. Your support helps us give back to those who give so much.

If you're attending the CRMC Championship this weekend, the first 100 first responders through the gates on Thursday will receive complimentary VIP access. We hope to see you there!