The United Way of Mower County should have plenty of help from Mower County employees.

That’s what Steve King, Department of Corrections director, hopes.

King, the United Way coordinator for county employees since 2006, announced the campaign to the board Tuesday with hopes the county can raise more than $7,000 this year.

“We can do better,” King told the board.

County employees raised more than $6,000 last year, which meant King and County Coordinator Craig Oscarson had to shave their heads. Though King wouldn’t say what sort of shenanigans he had planned this year, he said nothing could be done before employees exceeded $7,000 in donations.

“We’ll do some silliness at the end,” King said while offhandedly mentioning several employees as well as County Engineer Mike Hanson’s moustache could be targeted.

King asked the board to allow a lottery for employees who donated to win two days off in paid vacation time, which he said City of Austin employees came up with first. Oscarson said there could be several issues with the lottery, but he would check into it before bringing the matter to the board.

“It’s great,” said Board Chairman Tim Gabrielson. “The money stays local in our county and community.”