AUBURN – This year’s United Way campaign is ahead of where it stood at this time last year and well on its way to a record $1.8 million.

That was the report from Jeff Gosselin, campaign chairman, at a celebration dinner Thursday night at Martindale Country Club.

“I can pretty much guarantee that we are going to be over $1.8 million,” Gosselin told a crowd of volunteers. He said the United Way of Androscoggin County is already at 80 percent of its goal since the kickoff event in mid-September, compared to 56 percent at the same stage last year, when a total of more than $1.7 million was raised.

Mark Anthoine, United Way of Androscoggin County’s board chairman, told the volunteers, “We raise money, but it’s really about raising awareness and raising hope.”

Dick Albert of Parent Insurance Agency was introduced as the 2007 campaign chairman.

With the assistance of five loaned executives, Gosselin presented awards to numerous area businesses, agencies or government bodies in recognition of their pace-setting accomplishments. Among the 18 groups receiving Outstanding Campaign Awards were Mechanics Savings Bank, which doubled its contributions this year to $22,000; Wal-Mart Distribution Center, which also doubled its contributions in its second year of United Way giving; and Sandcastle Preschool, a smaller contributor but another group of employees that doubled their giving. CitiStreet also came up with a major increase of 131 percent.

Gosselin saluted L.L. Bean for a level of giving “that exceeded the largest contribution in the state of Maine.”

He also saluted TD Banknorth for raising $107,500 largely through “e-pledging,” which refers to contributions made through United Way’s online option for donations.

Others receiving Outstanding Campaign Awards were Central Maine Medical Center, Androscoggin Bank, city of Auburn, Community Dental, Liberty Mutual, Geiger, Tambrands/Procter & Gamble, Healey and Associates, city of Lewiston, Central Maine Power Co. and Federal Distributors.

Marden’s was named the 2006 winner of the Spirit of the Androscoggin Award. The local United Way gives this honor for “outstanding campaign support and caring through outreach efforts.” It is given only once to a supporting company.

The celebration’s awards also included plaques to 11 companies that were conducting new campaigns (but not necessarily their first efforts) this year.

They were Lewiston Maineiacs Hockey Club, Evergreen Suburu, Pepsi Bottling Group, Future Guard Building Products, Optometric Associates, Taylor Brook Dental, Kohl’s, United Cooperative Farmers, Lee Auto Mall, Hudson Bus Lines and Rinck Advertising.

Community Investment Awards to organizations with increased demonstration of great campaign practices and commitment to the community went to Gosselin, Dubord and Bell P.A., Auburn School Department, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Lowe’s and Clover Health Care.

Joleen Bedard, executive director of United Way of Androscoggin County, announced three winners of incentive prizes picked from more than 2,000 eligible donors.

Robert Chapman of Lee Auto Mall won an all-inclusive trip for two to Cancun, courtesy of Dube, Wagonlit Travel. Alan Hill of W.D. Matthews received an L.L. Bean kayak package, and Dan Martin of Central Distributors received 100 gallons of home heating oil from Heutz Oil Co.

To be eligible for the kayak package or heating oil, individuals donated $3 or more per week. To be placed into the drawing for the Cancun trip, individuals donated $5 or more per week.