AUBURN – Barack Obama’s Campaign for Change will ramp up grassroots efforts this weekend with “Canvass for Change” kickoffs in Bangor and Auburn.

The event will also highlight the opening of an Obama office in Auburn, at 1 Great Falls Plaza, and one in Bangor.

Volunteers will meet at the Auburn office at 3 p.m., get some training, then go out to knock on doors said Jessica Santillo, Maine Communications Director with the Obama campaign.

The object is to start developing conversations with voters. “This is something the campaign will be doing on a regular basis,” Santillo said.

Last week, Democratic National Party Chairman Howard Dean said staffers and volunteers would soon be coming because the area and the state is important to the campaign. Dean told supporters in Lewiston July 11 that pre-recorded and automatic phone calls, direct mail and advertising could increase voter turnout 1 to 2.5 percent.

Anyone interested in attending can RSVP at: http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/officialevent/449bx.

The Obama office in Auburn won’t be open full-time initially. Hours will soon be released, Santillo said.

– Bonnie Washuk