The United Way’s annual campaign got a good boost Wednesday.

Quality Pork Processors pledged $130,000 to the United Way’s 2015-16 campaign and then divvied out prizes to select employees who gave.

“Thank you,” United Way Executive Director Diane Baker told QPP employees. “Obviously, this is amazing. You guys do a great job.”

“You guys are a great partner to have,” Baker added.

QPP Plant Manager Claude Pulliam is a past president of the United Way and was pleased with his employees’ giving this year.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Pulliam said. “Our employees do a very good job of raising money for our community.”

He noted there are a lot of agencies — about 25 — that rely on the United Way to fund their programs.

“The United Way has a very good structure of being able to give those agencies the money that they need,” Pulliam said.

To celebrate the United Way donation, the company gives out 14 main prizes to select givers, including an iPad, a Keurig coffeepot, tool kits, a vacation day and a week’s vacation. The company also gives out a few additional things like parking spaces and a few other perks.

But to people like Safety Director Didacus Guzman, the most important thing is giving to the programs supported by the United Way. Guzman has served on the United Way board before, so he said he’s gotten to see the benefits of the funding.

“The best part is knowing that we’re making a difference, “ Guzman said.

With QPP’s donation, Baker said the United Way is more than halfway to its goal of about $1.2 million for its 2015-16 campaign. The 20124-15 campaign raised just more than $1.1 million.

This year, some big pledges are coming in a bit late, but Baker said she’s seen increases from some of the early pledges to come in.

“Were over halfway there for sure, it’s just things are coming in a little bit later,” Baker said.

Some big donations are still left to come in, including Hormel Foods Corp.’s corporate office and its plant, which are often among the three top givers along with QPP.

QPP is traditionally one of the top three businesses to give to the United Way, though the 2015-16 pledge was down a bit from the $143,362 given last year.

Still, Accounting Manager John Berglund estimated about 1,080 of QPP’s 1,225 employees gave to the United Way.

Berglund credited a group of about 10 QPP workers who solicit donations from their fellow employees.

“They bring them in and interview them and explain the importance of giving and the wonderful work that the United Way does for this community,” Berglund said.

Baker noted the efforts of that team are important in getting the word out about the United Way’s need.

“It’s about educating people, and you take the time to do that every year,” Baker said of QPP.

This year, the United Way has been promoting its four focus areas when explaining what the United Way does: education, income, health and basic needs.

The campaign officially runs through the end of the United Way’s fiscal year in March; however, the bulk of donations traditionally come in late in the year.

Baker thanked the QPP and noted the $130,000 accounts for a significant portion of the $130,000 goal.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said of QPP. “Really, the fact that they can get the percentage of people to participate that they do, that’s really rare.”

Baker praised QPP for a culture of giving to the United Way, and Berglund said that comes from the top down and that leadership is very supportive.

The United Way’s campaign season runs from September to March. To donate, visit the “Take Action” section of our website, www.uwmower.org, or send cash or check to P.O. Box 605, Austin, MN 55912.

“We’re obviously grateful for all the community support and the great partnerships we have,” Baker said.