Donations from Austin Hormel Plant employees are in.

Employees of the Austin Plant generated a total of $134,000 this year for the United Way of Mower County — up $10,000 from last year’s donation.

“Our employees are committed to making this community the best it can be, and I think our results this year speak to that.” Hormel Plant Manager Mark Coffey said in a press release.

This is encouraging for United Way of Mower County as it goes into the final weeks of the main campaign drive.

“The amount of support this community gives is outstanding,” said Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, Executive Director United Way of Mower County. “In these tough economic times it is true testament to the character of our counties residents to give above and beyond year after year.”

Coffey said the work of campaign coordinators at the Austin plant played a tremendous role in the fundraising efforts.

The United Way of Mower County’s campaign officially wraps up Dec.15, but donations are received through February. The final campaign total will be announced at the Annual Meeting in April.

Last week’s donation from Quality Pork Processors, along with this donation from the Austin Hormel Plant, brings the total this year to $879,000 — just short of the $965,000 goal.