The little United Way of Mower County pledge card arrives to Kim Duncomb’s desk at Austin Utilities, and she has a decision to make. It’s too hard to pick a specific organization to help, so she donates to the general fund and lets United Way do the rest. She knows she really can’t go wrong giving to an organization that locally offers assistance to those in need.

“I’ve been doing it for so long; it just seems like the right thing to do,” said Duncomb, human resources director at Austin Utilities.

Plenty of businesses around Austin get the United Way pledge cards each year. Employees can give one time, or they can have a designated amount taken from their paychecks each week. But there’s something special about Austin Utilities and its employees when it comes to campaign time. They’re generous, compassionate and know how effective even the smallest donations can be. Sometimes, people have to see things first-hand to understand the significance.

“I think part it has to do with Beth being the coordinator,” said United Way of Mower County Director Mandi Lighthizer-Schmidt. “She does a wonderful job of talking about United Way and the difference it makes in the community.”

Lighthizer-Schmidt refers to Beth Johannsen, customer account representative at Austin Utilities.

“I started heading the United Way fundraiser about six years ago,” Johannsen said about her role at Austin Utilities.

While some businesses can simply fill out the cards, Austin Utilities takes it a step further. A little extra information, and incentive, can go a long way.

“Do people really look at that?” Johannsen said about people looking at the pledge cards. “Do they understand where the funds go?”

To garner a little extra interest, United Way offers some incentives, like Twins tickets, a crisp $100 bill, and a day off of work for top donors. Those things are nice, but not necessary for people like Duncomb. She understands where the money goes, and the effect it has. She’ll donate every year. She even joined the United Way’s board of directors.

“There are just so many areas you can help,” she said.

It really is hard for her to earmark her donations for one organization. Duncomb has been through Leadership Austin, an educational program that focuses on something different each year. Through that program, she learned how she could help the community, and the difference people can make.

“I just realized there are so many other ways to give to the community,” she said.

The mentality must be the same throughout Austin Utilities. Each year, the pledges grow. Last year, after all pledges and wage deductions, Austin Utilities gave slightly more than $10,000, according to the United Way. Lighthizer-Schmidt said that’s more than double of what similar-sized organizations give.

“I think that shows the generosity of those folks,” she said.

That’s not even where it stops, either. Duncomb hopes to join the United Way Day of Caring next year, when large groups tackle home projects for people in need.

The cliché is true: A little bit goes a long way.