LEWISTON – The Maine Public Broadcasting Network is looking for volunteers in April and May to staff the MPBN Great TV Auction at its studios in Lewiston.

While the televised portion of the auction takes place between April 22 and May 1, volunteers will also be needed before and after those dates.

As donated items for the auction continue to come in, volunteers are needed to process and catalogue each one. After the auction ends, each item needs to be packed and shipped to its winning bidder. During the auction itself, there are many jobs that need to be filled – answering phones, entering data, packing and shipping, and other tasks.

“This is our biggest single fund-raising event of the year, and it requires an immense amount of volunteer time and effort,” said MPBN Volunteer Coordinator Pam Smart. “And yet, for all that needs to be done, we have many volunteers who come back year after year and tell us it’s actually quite fun and something they look forward to each spring. There’s a camaraderie that develops between them amid the frenzy of activity.”

This year marks the 34th year of the auction.

MPBN’s Lewiston studio, where the volunteers are needed, is at 1450 Lisbon St. Plenty of free parking is available for volunteers in the lot off Westminster Street behind the building.

Volunteers are asked to call Smart at the auction office at 1-800-884-1717. More information about The MPBN Great TV Auction may be found online at www.mpbn.net.