The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The United Way of Wapello County has announced its campaign results for 2012.

With the help of individual and corporate donations, $533,000 was raised for the organization last year.

The United Way of Wapello County would like to specifically recognize two organizations, the first of which is John Deere Ottumwa Works. The company achieved a record high of employee giving with a total of $105,000 raised. The United Way honored this achievement by giving John Deere and its employees the Tower of Leadership award.

The UPS also held a fundraising event for the United Way this year, a first-ever golf outing that raised $11,000.

Now that 2012 is in the books, the United Way is setting this year's goals, looking to improve upon last year.

"In 2009, it was our record year for campaign with over $705,000 and that was when other United Ways were going down when the bad economic times hit us," said Desiree Johnson, President and CEO of the United Way of Wapello County. "We were really fortunate, we did really well during that time, but over the last couple of years, we have been going down. So we want to refocus and re-energize to build that back up to the all-time high."

"Moving forward into next year, we've got a lot of things planned already for strategic planning to get more donors, corporate and individual and we're planning on doing that very strategically, working with more and new organizations in new and different ways to help drive some more long-term, lasting effects in our community," said Tony Floden, Chair of the Board for the United Way of Wapello County.

Floden said giving to the United Way isn't just about monetary donations, but also giving your time by volunteering. The United Way of Wapello County has a new volunteer center located in downtown Ottumwa and is always looking for individuals and groups willing to volunteer their time. For opportunities in the community, call 641-682-1264.