GRAND RAPIDS — United Way of 1000 Lakes presented its 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award to Shannon Anttila, co-founder and president of Great Tails Animal Rescue.
Great Tails Animal Rescue works to find permanent homes for stray, abandoned and surrendered animals in Itasca County. Anttila helped start the volunteer-based nonprofit in 2018.
United Way gave Anttila the award at its 2025 Community Impact Celebration on May 22. The award honors individuals who have given their time, energy and passion to making their community a better place.
Anttila was one of four finalists for the award, including Anthony Scholler with Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, Madelen Schuemann with Grace House and Dorothy Duquette with the Boys & Girls Club of Grand Rapids and Greenway.
“Volunteers are the heart of our work,” said United Way Board Member Sara Rose in a news release. “Their time, skills, and compassion make it possible to expand reach, fill service gaps, and support lasting change.”

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Agricultural heritage was on full display near the Itasca State Park Aug. 15-17, 2025.
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The Itasca County Sheriff's Office said the crash was on Prairie Lake Road on Aug. 17, 2025.
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The Lake County Sheriff's Office said the girls, whose ages ranged from 8 to 14, were returned safely to their parents after a helicopter rescue.
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The closure in McDavitt Township begins Monday, Aug. 25, and is expected to end Aug. 29.
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A boulder riffle and new culverts would allow fish passage upstream and allow for sediments to more naturally flow downstream.
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The city is exploring its options after a fire destroyed the park's bandshell.
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Ryan Denzer-Johnson, who also formerly taught at Northeast Range, was charged with three felony counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.
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Volunteer firefighter Tia Muller died in an ATV crash on the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area over the weekend of Aug. 16-17, 2025.
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Austin Claseman, 30, is charged in Beltrami County. He was a teacher and board member at the charter high school, Voyageurs Expeditionary School.
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The sessions in Silver Bay, Virginia and Duluth will gather input on the future direction for programming and investment at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.