While the time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day is a time to relax and celebrate for some, it’s a time to push ahead to meet year-end goals for others.

Freeborn County United Way fits the latter.

“We’re still getting some donations in from residentials and we’re making our final phone calls next week,” said Ann Austin, executive director of the Freeborn County United Way.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the United Way 2010 campaign had raised about $512,000. It must reach $650,000 by Dec. 31 to meet the 2010 campaign goal.

Austin said while several larger companies will still turn in their pledges over the next week, she thinks the campaign will definitely raise $600,000, but may not make it to $650,000.

“Some of the campaigns are struggling from effects of the economy,” Austin said. “Wage freezes and hiring freezes do impact people’s ability or overall budget decisions whether or not to give.”

Special events throughout the campaign, which kicked off in September, have certainly helped in reaching the $650,000 goal. United Way raised more than $3,500 during its annual Keep the Fires Burning event on Oct. 29 and The Fountain Warehouse Liquor Wine Tasting, held Nov. 5, raised another $4,148 for the campaign.

Austin said the following businesses have all given amounts above what they’ve contributed to the campaign in the past: Albert Lea Select Foods, Mrs. Gerry’s, Alliance Benefit Group, Innovance, Larson Manufacturing, Farmers State Bank, Streater, UPS and IBM.

“Freeborn-Mower Cooperative got 100 percent participation for the third year in a row,” she added. “That means they had participation by every single employee. It’s amazing!”

She’s also pleased with the community’s response toward the campaign, with all of the other benefits going on this year.

“It’s been such a crazy year and there were a lot of great causes with disaster responses and individuals having difficult times, we really didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “We are so thankful for the fact that we do have a very giving community.”

In addition, Austin wished to recognize all of the volunteers who have helped with this year’s campaign.

“There’s only two of us in the office, so this wouldn’t be possible without all of our wonderful volunteers,” she said.

Austin said the local agency has already started looking ahead to 2011, and is confident that plans for a long-awaited youth battle of the bands event will be in the plans next spring.

United Way funds 31 programs in 18 agencies, essential for the well-being of the community. Austin said these programs benefit community members of all ages and focus mostly on education, income and health.