All aboard: Christmas in July cruise raises $30K+ for area kids

WEIRS BEACH — Hundreds of guests boarded the M/S Mount Washington Thursday night for the 4th annual Christmas in July cruise, hosted by the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund.

The Power Chords, Laconia’s own Broadway show choir group, part of Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, set the scene for the event, serenading guests with Christmas carols as they climbed aboard.

Guests enjoyed a three-hour scenic cruise around Lake Winnipesaukee with appearances by Santa, a buffet dinner, cash bar, 50/50 raffle, live music, a photo booth, karaoke, and a silent auction, featuring items from an ice cream basket to a scenic helicopter ride for three.

Thanks to Jared Maraio, general manager of Mount Washington Cruises, each ticket purchased for the Christmas in July Cruise allows one child to attend a daytime children’s cruise on Wednesday, Aug. 5, completely free.

Katie Bills, a member of the Children’s Fund Community Engagement Committee, said they were able to take 300 children on a cruise last year who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to go out on the lake. She recounted the trip, where she played tic-tac-toe and iSpy with kids against the backdrop of the Big Lake's views.

Jayne Weakley, also a member of the Community Engagement Committee, together with Bills, put in much work leading up to the event, along with other fundraising efforts for area children.

Leading up to the cruise, Weakley, Bills, and the committee worked to engage with businesses for sponsorships, spread the word through social media, and gather decorations for the Mount to look and feel like Christmas in July.

Franklin Savings Bank, a sponsor for the cruise this year and last, brought 10 employees aboard Thursday night. President and Chief Executive Officer Brian Bozak said the turnout showed their commitment and support for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund.

“We’re a community bank. This is what we do,” said Jennifer Prince, assistant vice president and marketing and community engagement officer at FSB, who also serves on the Children's Fund Communications Committee.

“Kids need help sometimes. They’re underprivileged, there are certain needs that they have, and if we can help fulfill something for them, that’s what we want to do,” Bozak said.

“I really like that it’s for the greater Lakes Region, so it’s not just one community. And as a bank, we have eight branches, most up here, and a couple in Southern New Hampshire,” Prince said. “So, the Children’s Fund directly impacts the kids right in our backyard.”

The Children’s Fund has been serving the community for 45 years. Lisa Cornish, longtime volunteer and previous recipient of support from the Children’s Fund, said the organization is “her baby.” After over two decades volunteering, Cornish shows no signs of slowing, gushing about the organization's outstanding team.

“We can go a year without seeing each other, and it’s like it’s been a week,” Cornish said, smiling, nudging Doug Morrisette, the organization's board chair.

With the help of the Community Engagement Committee, Cornish said she had never seen Executive Director Jennifer Kelley so calm. She said the committee has taken things to “another level” with their outreach, passionately championing the cause throughout the Lakes Region. Cornish said last year, the Children’s Fund raised over $28,000 during the cruise.

This year, the cruise raised over $30,000, and counting, with the most tickets sold at over 350.

The Children’s Fund raised over $883,000 total in 2025. Cornish and Morrisette said their goal this year is to hit $1 million.

Larry Poliquin, board vice chair, said so many nonprofit organizations are able to run because of grants from the Children’s Fund. Poliquin, a veteran Hannaford manager in Bristol, and member of both the Executive and Distribution committees, helped the Children’s Fund distribute 82 grants last year to local groups, directly impacting thousands of families.

Cornish said it’s amazing to see the families who come back and pay it forward. She said it's evident how much the families appreciate the support. “People will get a free turkey 10 years ago, and then come back and donate three when they are able to,” Cornish said.

Katie Dobbins, local singer-songwriter and member of the Community Engagement Committee, lives in Gilford. Growing up in the Lakes Region, she said it became more and more clear the spectrum of need around her, her family finding ways to contribute. As she got older, she wanted to give back to the community, and children in need.

Dobbins has performed at the past three annual Christmas benefit concerts at Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery in Meredith, with 50% of proceeds benefiting the Children’s Fund. This is Dobbin's first year on the Christmas in July cruise, performing on the top deck. “They put the fun in Children’s Fund,” Dobbins said.

Also onboard was DJ Ghoulay, turning the second floor of the ship into a karaoke party. Organizers and sponsors took turns singing for guests, as Santa stole the show, singing the classic "A Holly Jolly Christmas."

The online silent auction featured 50 items, every receiving bids totaling $7,445.

The much-anticipated winning 50/50 raffle ticket was drawn at 9 p.m. by Cornish and Nancy Belanger, a member of both the Community Engagement and Distribution committees. Curt Chesley, of Curt’s Caterer’s LLC, in Gilford, held the winning ticket for the raffle’s $1,115 cash prize.

Following Thursday night’s 4th annual Christmas in July cruise, the Children’s Fund kept their momentum going through the weekend, raising even more for children in the Lakes Region.

The 11th annual Brew with a View beer festival was hosted at Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton, on Saturday, overlooking lakes Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam. The event included festivities such as live music, food, a charity keg toss, mechanical bull riding competition, 50/50 raffle, and over 30 local brewery and winery vendors. All proceeds benefitted the Children’s Fund.

Juggernaut Fitness hosted its 6th annual Raise the Run 5k also on Saturday, with food, a bounce house, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction. All proceeds went to the Children’s Fund.

The next large fundraiser for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund is the Sweepstakes Social on Friday, Sept. 18. Guests and supporters will board the Mount — remaining docked at Weirs Beach — for cash prizes, food, and live entertainment.

And save the date for next year's Christmas in July cruise, on Thursday, July 8, 2027.

Volunteers work year-round preparing for these fundraising events. Cornish said working with her peers and serving the children of the Lakes Region makes it feel like “it’s Christmas all year long.”