Community Challenge teams kick off spring with fundraisers

LACONIA — This year’s Community Challenge teams are hitting the ground running with fundraising events for everyone this spring to support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

“In 2021, Challenge teams were proud to present a check for $332,342 to the 40th annual Children’s Auction,” said Holly Ruggieri, chair of the 2022 Challenge.

Easter Egg Hunt hosted by Team Juggernaut Fitness

Team Juggernaut Fitness will have an Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 2-5 on Saturday, April 16 from 1-3 p.m. This event includes a bouncy house, obstacle courses, face painting, parachute games, and a hunt with 500 eggs that begins at 1:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

“Because Juggernaut Fitness is a 5,000-square-foot facility, we can always hold it entirely inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate,” said Team Captain Anna Terry, who also serves as 2022 Community Challenge vice chair.

For more information, or to sign up, email Terry at aterry@juggernaut-fitness.com.

Egg My Yard hosted by Cafe Deja Vu

Team Cafe Deja Vu will visit Laconia-area homes on Saturday, April 16, between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., the night before Easter, and scatter eggs in the yard, so families can wake up to their very own Easter egg hunt.

For a donation of $20, Team Cafe Deja Vu will scatter 22 eggs in the yard; $40 for 45 eggs, and so on, up to 120 eggs for $100. “We have a limited supply so order now,” said Tony Felch, who co-captains the team with Brenda Martell. To order, email ynotynot@peoplepc.com or call or text 603-998-1418.

Spring Shuffle hosted by Patrick’s Pub

The 2022 Community Challenge Committee and Patrick’s Pub & Eatery are once again hosting a Spring Shuffle fundraiser, where all shufflers can raise money for their Challenge teams while also getting some exercise after a long New England winter.

The shuffle runs every Wednesday, from April 27 through June 8. “You don’t have to be a member of a team to sign up and shuffle,” said 2022 Challenge chair Holly Ruggieri, “but you do need to choose a team to support by donating to their GiveGab account, which is super simple.”

Donations of $10 per shuffle or $70 for the entire shuffle season can be made at childrensauction.com/challenge. Participants can shuffle on their own, or at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery, 5-6 p.m. each Wednesday on a course from Patrick’s to the Bank of NH Pavilion and back.

Then, Patrick’s hosts a raffle that begins at 6 p.m. back at the Pub. “We love giving away swag after each shuffle,” said Challenge Committee member Allan Beetle of Patrick’s, “and it’s great to see all the different team members who come out to raise money for the kids.”

Cycle Mania hosted by Fitness Edge

Fitness Edge health clubs of Meredith and Moultonborough formed a challenge fundraising team just this year, and their first major fundraiser is Cycle Mania on Sunday, May 1 in Meredith.

For a $10 per hour donation, participants are invited to cycle on stationary bikes for as long as they choose between 8 a.m.-noon. Bikes will be outside if the weather is good, inside if it’s raining.

“It is super easy to register, have fun, and support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction,” said Fitness Edge team captain Ken Brady. For more information or to register, email kenbrady225@gmail.com.

New challenge teams and team members welcome

To form or join a fundraising team for the Community Challenge, contact Holly Ruggieri at hjruggieri@gmail.com or visit childrensauction.com/challenge for more information.