The United Way of Mower County announced Tuesday its annual campaign brought in more than $1 million for the third year in a row.

United Way officials held a victory party at noon Tuesday at the Hormel Historic and announced the campaign raised about $1.04 million for 2013, short of the $1.1-million goal but more than 2012 campaign’s $1.03 million.

“I think this shows us there is great need in our community and our community members know they can help,” Executive Director Diane Baker said in a press release. “We couldn’t be more pleased to once again announce a record setting year for Mower County.”

Several individuals, organizations and businesses helped make the campaign a success. Some of the largest donors were Hormel Foods Corp. corporate office with $268,500, Quality Pork Processors with $145,000 and the Hormel plant with $142,200.

“Big and small corporations alike, we really are fortunate to have a lot of businesses that support The United Way,” Baker said. “We’re very thrilled with that number given the economy.”

The United Way was able to donate $820,000 to local agencies, which will go toward programs that help in areas of basic needs, health, education and income. The money will go to 26 local agencies like the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Parenting Resource Center, the Arc Mower County, the Welcome Center and several others.

Welcome Center Executive Director Jake Vela was pleased the center received $41,000, which will go toward the center’s Client Development program and Personal Care Shelf program.

The Welcome Center’s programs are designed to help immigrant families become more familiar with the community and lead a more financially stable life. They allow people a free visit with a counselor to help create a budget and find money leaks.

“We’re very appreciative of the support we receive from the community,” Vela said.

The Welcome Center has been open since 2000, and they have received funds from United Way for the full 14 years they have been open.

Tuesday’s celebration also marks a first for Baker in her new role as executive director. Baker, a board member for several years, said she is excited to take on the new role.

“It’s really an opportunity for me to take up something that I am passionate about and turn it into a career,” Baker said.

Although Baker was pleased with the dollar amount this year, she also feels that they are able to do more. Vela agrees.

“I think as we start to partner and collaborate with other organizations we will be able to stretch that dollar further,” Vela said.

Programs receiving money from the United Way:

Adams Ambulance $5,000

Apple Lane $48,000

The Arc Mower County $59,000

Catholic Charities $2,900

Cedar Branch $42,000

Cedar Valley Services $20,000

Children’s Dental Health Services $39,500

Crime Victims Resource Center $30,000

Girl Scouts $16,000

Habitat for Humanity $15,200

Hormel Home $19,000

Ladies Floral Club $3,000

Mayo Clinic Austin $5,000

Mower Council for the Handicapped $47,000

Mower County Mentoring $6,000

Mower County Senior Center $42,100

Parenting Resource Center $70,800

Red Cross $45,000

Salvation Army $85,000

SEMCAC $30,000

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services $15,000

Twin Valley Boy Scouts $19,000

Wapiti Meadows $45,000

Welcome Center $41,000

Workforce Development $15,000

YMCA $54,500

Total: $820,000