The United Way fundraising campaign is 57 percent complete, having raised roughly $517,000 so far. The thermometer, across the street from Mill Pond, was raised Friday for the first community update.

The campaign began Sept. 10.

“We’re ahead of where we were this time last year, and I’m optimistic that we will meet our goal,” said Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt, executive director of the Mower County United Way.

The goal of $910,000 would support all of the United Way’s local programs in the same manor as last year. About 70 percent of United Way programs in the county rely exclusively on local fundraising, Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

Most of the donations come from workplace campaigns, but donations from area residents are also appreciated.

The majority of local businesses have not yet kicked off their campaigns, or are in the midst of them. A few companies, however, have already exceeded their goals, including International Paper and Target.

“I am very happy with our progress, but we’ve still got a ways to go,” Lighthizer-Schmidt said.

The United Way campaign publicly runs until Dec. 15. To make a donation call 437-2313 or visit the United Way office in the U.S. Bank building in downtown Austin.