LEWISTON – In 1932, early in the Great Depression years, the very first Lewiston-Auburn Community Chest campaign set out to raise $33,000 for local groups that helped the needy.

Now known as United Way of Androscoggin County, the organization marked its 75th birthday Tuesday with a celebration at its Ash Street office.

Joleen Bedard, executive director, told a gathering of directors, volunteers and representatives of participating agencies, “We wouldn’t be here today raising close to $2 million if it were not for everyone’s support.”

She said, “It’s the agencies that give such terrific services to people in need, and all the donors that make our lives and the lives of people in the community so much richer.”

Within 10 years of its incorporation on Oct. 19, 1932, the local Community Chest Fund was aiming for $90,000.

In the World War II years, the Red Feather became the national symbol of Community Chest, and the local organization became the United Community and War Chest. Workers were being asked to donate 10 cents from each weekly paycheck in an innovative payroll deduction plan that breathed new life into the fund’s money-raising options.

After the war, the name became Lewiston-Auburn United Fund, and the red feather gave way to the big “U” symbol. In the 1970s, United Way was adopted as the name with the helping hand logo.

By the mid-1970s, the campaign goals were approaching $315,000 – about three times the original figure.

A few of today’s participating agencies were on the original list 75 years ago. They include the Salvation Army, Red Cross, YMCA and YWCA.

One of the original beneficiaries of Community Chest help was the Children’s Home orphanage in Lewiston.