2025 Sweepstakes Social sells out and raises $30,000 for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, cash prizes

LACONIA — Hundreds boarded the M/S Mount Washington at Weirs Beach earlier in September, selling out the 2025 Sweepstakes Social and raising $15,000 in cash prizes and $15,000 in matching cash to Pub Mania teams that support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

The sixth annual event also raised $5,000 for the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship, which awards $5,000 in grants each year to Lakes Region graduating seniors to support their college journeys.

The scholarship honors Warren Bailey, the founder of the Children’s Auction who recently passed away.

Coincidentally, the Sweepstakes Social was held only hours after a four-hour celebration of life for Bailey at Gunstock Resort. Many of those who attended the memorial were on board the Mount in the evening, continuing to honor a community hero.

“It was so appropriate that an event raising funds for the Children’s Auction and the scholarship in Warren’s name followed the celebration of his life,” said Event Organizer Jennifer Beetle.  “I think Warren would be very pleased with that.”  

As party goers danced to music by Holycow! Music DJ, Jeff Lines, and enjoyed the late summer evening on the water, names were drawn intermittently for cash prizes. Individual winners received the prize and a matching amount went to the Pub Mania team they selected when purchasing their ticket.

“We had a blast on the Mount under perfect skies last night, and we’re grateful for all the support we received from teams that helped us sell out the event,” Beetle said. “We had lots of fun with a community of friends, and we did it for our region’s kids. That’s why we come out.”

Bailey founded the Children’s Auction as a one-day event in 1981, and over 44 years, it has grown into an organization that fundraises all year long and is supported by over 700 volunteers. The auction has raised over $9.2 million to fund local nonprofits.

Donations to the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship are accepted all year long. For more information, email scholarship@lrscholarship.org. For more information about the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, visit childrensauction.org. For more information about Pub Mania, visit patrickspub.com.