There are 1,240 community resources at Quality Pork Processors, Inc.

Every last one of them is a volunteer ready to serve.

They work around the clock and comprise the second-largest work force -- Hormel Foods Corporation is the largest -- in the city of Austin, all of Mower County and the area around. Not until the giant Mayo Health Systems facilities at Rochester are included, does any other area employer rival Quality Pork Processors, Inc.

They are men and women, single individuals or married, partners sharing co-equal responsibilities.

True. Many of them are the so-called new immigrants. Their names are not "Olson" and "Johnson" or any of the other more familiar-sounding human nomenclature.

They are, to be sure, dominated by people of color and they work hard, slaughtering 17,000 hogs each day, working two production shifts and one sanitation shift.

This winter, they set a new record as a community resource, raising $97,085 in pledged donations to the Untied Way of Mower County, Inc. The total was second only to that raised at the Hormel Foods Corporation's corporate offices.

Fully 85 percent of the QPP work force is a United Way donor.

Is it any wonder, QPP executives are proud? Is it possible they are entitled to some good, old-fashioned bragging?

Of course, it is.

"I think this achievement is a credit to Dick Knight, the former president and CEO of Quality Pork Processors," said Kelly Wadding, Knight's replacement in the positions. "He had a real passion for the United Way. He really believed in it and what it could do for a community."

The company's work force had no United Way campaign in its first year of existence. Beginning in the second year and continuing every year since, its United Way pledged donation has increased every year.

"Think about that," said Wadding. "Our work force has increased its contributions every year. They're the reason we are so successful. They're the human resource that is responsible for that."

"It's really a tribute to our people," agreed Dale Wicks, human resource manager. "Many of them have received help from the United Way, so they want to repay that help and giving to the United Way is one way they can do it."

"That's a key factor in the campaign's success," added Dave Drommerhausen, office manager and controller. "They feel a sense of obligation to give back to the community."

Spurred on by management, some 15 volunteer employees form QPP's United Way campaign committee each fall. Each department is represented. That way, the "personal touch" is used to reap benefits from the workers. Someone they know asks their participation in the annual campaign, someone who also understands how much disposable income the workers have to offer.

The average pledged donation from each QPP worker is $82 and it adds up -- literally -- to a share of the record-setting United Way total to be shared among local charities.

"I really believe the workers understand how important the United Way campaign is because, many of them needed help when coming here and they went to United Way organizations for that help. The Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other agencies,

United Way has helped them and now they want to help the United Way," Wadding said.

But measuring how far-ranging QPP is as a community resource doesn't end with the United Way.

QPP has donated to the Austin Public Library, the new Packer Arena ice skating facility, Salvation Army Austin Corps, Austin Police Officers Association, Austin Area Catholic Schools and dozens of other local charities, according to Wadding, Wicks and Drommerhausen.

In all, there are more than 30 projects or charities which received financial and other support from QPP in 2002.

One of them is special: the Austin Public Schools English as a Second Language Program.

For two straight years, QPP has donated substantial sums to the ESL Program; most recently, $5,000.

"This program obviously fits with QPP," Wadding candidly admitted. "Many of our workers are parents, mothers and fathers of children in ESL Programs. By helping the program we are helping our workers' families."

But the list of QPP-assisted charities and projects also includes the Wescott Field Improvement Project for the Austin Independent School District, which, arguably is a project benefiting literally everyone.

"Hormel Foods Corporation has set a great example for everyone," Wadding said. "They are just one of the best corporate citizens in any community anywhere. They lead by example."

QPP occupies facilities leased from Hormel Foods Corporation in Austin.

Wadding, Wicks and Drommerhausen comprise the QPP committee that reviews all requests for financial assistance.

"We have specific criteria to satisfy," Wadding said. "Basically, it must be something that is occurring locally and we always consider what kind of an impact will it have on our employees."

"For example," he continued, "the ESL Program is something that is a responsibility of our company."

QPP, whose work force is populated by Hispanic and other people of color, is a champion of the development of soccer.

It sponsors teams, its workers are coaches and its workers' children are participants.

The president proudly displays in his office a jersey from a soccer team sponsored last season by QPP.

Wicks is quick to point out, however, the myriad other roles QPP workers assume in the community.

"It's just hard to measure. They are Sunday school teachers. They help in schools. They do a lot of things," he said.

Wadding was adamant about the self-pride in QPP workers. "I bet it would surprise people to know how many are taking self-improvement classes at the community college,. They want to improvement themselves and their lives," he offered.

Then, he caught himself.

"I just love bragging about our employees," he chuckled.

The trio of QPP executives said they expect 2003 to be a banner year for their work force and predicted an even higher profile as community resources, who volunteer their time and skills.

"There's a lot to be done in the community," Drommerhausen said.

"Watch the names on the honor roll and you'll see some of our workers' sons and daughters. They're contributing to the community too as good citizens," Wicks said.

And, the president put it succinctly. "We continue to grow. On the inside and the outside. Sure, our workers are a community resource. You bet they are," he said.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com