University of Wisconsin - Extension

Organizers of the 30th-annual WPT Auction, that aired May 31 through June 5 on Wisconsin Public Television (WPT), report a successful event due to community involvement and support.

“We are grateful to the many individuals and businesses who help make the annual WPT Auction possible,” said WPT Auction Manager Kelly Joerres. “The success of the event depends on the involvement of numerous volunteers, artists, business donors and business underwriters, and the viewers who bid in support of public broadcasting.”

The WPT Auction generated more than $400,000 to help fund WPT's quality programming as well as outreach projects and events that serve to enrich the entire Wisconsin community. The WPT Auction is sponsored by Friends of WHA-TV, the non-profit fund-raising arm for WPT.

This year, 1,256 volunteers were part of the live, six-day event that offered viewers an array of items suited to every taste. Art, jewelry, vacations, a car lease, things for home and businesses, gardening tools and equipment, sports tickets and equipment, and items for families and children were all part of the offerings. The Auction raffle, offering the winner the choice of a 2005 Toyota Prius or $10,000 in cash, was won by Ray Tierney of Madison.

WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV/DT, Madison; WPNE-TV/DT, Green Bay; WHRM-TV/DT, Wausau; WLEF-TV/DT, Park Falls; WHLA-TV/DT, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV/DT, Menomonie-Eau Claire.