A thermometer was raised in Austin, across the street from Mill Pond, yesterday. Of course, it was not measuring the temperature.

The United Way of Mower County’s fundraising campaign is 95 percent complete, and the thermometer was raised Wednesday for a second community update. The organization has raised $864,163 of their $910,000 goal.

“We’re ahead of where we were last year, and we couldn’t do this without the support of our community and local business,” executive director Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

At this time last year, the United Way had raised 88 percent of their goal.

Employee campaigns at the Hormel Plant, Hormel Corporate Office, Austin Medical Center and McFarland Truck Lines are among those that have surpassed their company goals this year.

Community giving is on par with last year’s rate, Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

The United Way campaign runs publicly until April, though many business campaigns wrap up in January and February.

About 70 percent of United Way programs in the county rely exclusively on local fundraising. All funds raised in Mower County stay in Mower County to address local problems.

To make a donation, call 437-2313 or visit the United Way office in the U.S. Bank building in downtown Austin.