On the last day of a year that ended up being a little rougher economically than it started out, the United Way of Freeborn County’s annual campaign was at 93 percent of its goal.

Executive Director Ann Austin said cabinet members made a last push on Monday and Tuesday with businesses that normally take part in the campaign.

“We’re very happy with where we’re at,” Austin said Wednesday of having raised $550,000 of the $592,000 target. “We’re grateful to all who have donated. With the way things have been this year, it’s a big deal to reach 93 percent at this point.”

Anything postmarked or received in the United Way office by Dec. 31 would be counted on the 2008 campaign total, she said. She was busy making one last campaign pitch for anyone who hadn’t yet contributed or anyone who wished to contribute anything extra.

Austin said she has been hearing from member agencies that there will be a greater need for help early in the year, then midway through the year, the economy is expected to improve.

There were a number of people who were unable to donate financially who asked the United Way if there were another ways they could help out, Austin said.

“We’re going to work hard next year to find other ways people can give back to the community,” she said.

The allocations committee will meet at the end of January to decide how much funding each United Way member agency will receive,” Austin said.

“It’s been an interesting journey,” Austin said of her first campaign as executive director. “We want to thank everyone for their help this year.”

The people here are giving, she said. “Not one thing has happened that any of us has felt disheartened by.”

Sue Berg, who served as co-chairwoman of the campaign with her daughter, Tiffany Hagan, said in an e-mail she was also pleased with how things worked out.

“Ninety-three percent is great! Tiffany and I also want to add our thanks to everyone. We really appreciate all the work you have done for this campaign,” Berg wrote.