Dropping Santas and raising cocktails for the Community Challenge

LACONIA— It’s For the Kids Community Challenge teams are coming up with a variety of events that put the “fun” in fundraising to support this year’s Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

Team Ladies of the Lake is hosting their first annual Great Santa Drop on Saturday, Nov. 28, where 500 numbered Santas will be dropped above a giant bullseye on the fields at Beans & Greens farm.

“Chuck Fletcher is generously donating the helicopter and his time to do the drop,” said Holly Ruggieri, co-captain of Ladies of the Lake and co-chair of It’s For the Kids Community Challenge.

“The Santa closest to the bullseye will win $300, second place wins $100, third wins $50, with 17 more places receiving gift cards and prizes.” While Ruggieri said this year’s Santa Drop will be closed to the public because of social distancing, Ladies of the Lake will be posting videos afterward.

Tickets for numbered Santas are available at https://www.lakesregionartisanmercantile.com and at Budget Gas Court Street, Goody Good Donuts, All My Life Jewelers, The Alton Country Store, and The Village Corner in Moultonborough.

Ruggieri also shared a “huge thank you” to their other team and event sponsors.

Community Challenge Team Southern Wine & Spirit has also created a festive fundraiser, this one in collaboration with Grey Goose Vodka and a long list of NH restaurants and bars. Participating restaurants will offer specialty cocktails through December 5, donating $1 for every cocktail sold to the Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

Teasa Wilkens, co-captain of Team Southern Wine & Spirit, said, “The list is still going so hopefully we will have a few more to add on!”

For now, Lakes Region restaurants include Patrick’s Pub, Giuseppe’s, Shooters Tavern, Tower Hill Tavern, Ellacoya Bar & Grille, Wolfeboro Inn, Brookside Pizza, American Legion #72 (Alton), Indian Mound in Ossipee, Sunset Grille, and Pemi Pub.

Several It’s For the Kids Community Challenge teams are also planning on participating in Celebrate Laconia’s first ever “Reverse” Holiday Parade, following Santa he leads the parade through the city to Weirs Beach and back. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 29 at 4:30 p.m.; see https://www.celebratelaconia.org/lights-festival-holiday-parade for the details and the parade route.