Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund awards $765K to more than 75 local groups

LACONIA — The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund, formerly known as the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, distributed more than $765,000 to nonprofit organizations, during an event hosted by Laconia Country Club on Thursday.

Working all year to fundraise, the Children’s Fund supports over 75 organizations and, in turn, children and families throughout the Lakes Region. Last year, the week-long live auction in December was capped off by Pub Mania's final celebration event at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery in Gilford, which raised a record $401,477 for the Children’s Fund, hand-delivered to the Warren Bailey Studio in Belmont, the site of the broadcast.

On Thursday afternoon, representatives of dozens of the organizations who receive grants through the Children’s Fund gathered at the country club to network, mingle, receive their grant awards and celebrate another successful year of fundraising.  

“We could not have this incredible community without organizations like you, making a real impact on low-income kids and families in the area,” Children’s Fund Executive Director Jennifer Kelley said.

It’s the Laconia Country Club’s second year hosting the event, Food & Beverage Manager Trevor Fuller said Thursday. 

“It was really a no-brainer for us,” he said. The club donates a membership to the Children’s Fund during their annual auction. Typically, the membership raises between $30,000 and $40,000. “It’s a big item for them.”  

The club also hosts fundraising events for the Mayhew Program, Belknap House and Concord Hospital.

“For us, it’s important to be part of the community,” Fuller said.  

“It’s definitely one of those things, we want to be the good neighbor in the community, to do our part to support these organizations in our community,” he said.  

Recipients of grant funding include a multitude of organizations. This year, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire received a check for $50,000. Erica Brough is the center director at the Belmont Early Learning Center. They’ve got multiple centers like the one in Belmont, located between central and northern New Hampshire, serving children just 6 weeks old, all the way through high school.

“We serve a lot of children,” Brough said. The financial support "gives us the opportunity to help more children in need. It supports a high number of children, it gives us an opportunity to introduce the children to new experiences.”  

She’s grateful for the assistance.  

“It’s big,” Brough said. “Child care makes the world go ‘round.” 

Ann Holloran of New Hampton Got Lunch echoed Brough’s sentiments Thursday. The summer meals program received $5,000.

“What an amazing place we live, where people come together to support the needs of many,” Holloran said.

Longtime volunteer and member of the Children’s Fund’s community engagement committee Judi Taggart said the success of the fund says a lot about the communities it serves. 

“That we’re willing to help our neighbor in need,” she said. “That’s, to me, why it’s so important.”

Taggart retired 13 years ago, after working as a campaign director for United Way, and is a well-known staple of the Children’s Fund each year. 

“I was brought up to give back,” she said. “It’s second-nature.” 

The Children’s Fund has a committee whose members spent more than 60 hours reviewing grant applications over five separate meetings.

To learn more, visit childrensfundnh.org.

“Thank you guys for everything you do throughout the year, we’re just a little bit of it,” board Chair Douglas Morrissette said. “You guys truly make an impact in the greater Lakes Region.”