With most applications ever, Children's Auction sets goal to raise $900K

The late Warren Bailey raised $2,100 by auctioning off items for charity while broadcasting for WLNH out of a van more than four decades ago. His endeavor has grown exponentially, as the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction has since distributed more than $9.2 million to nonprofits assisting local children.

The 44th annual Children’s Auction kicks off on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and is coming off a record-breaking year, raising $763,344 for children and their families in 2024. This figure includes the largest fundraiser of the four-day event, Pub Mania, which raised a record $386,722 last year.

Children's Auction Executive Director Jenn Kelley has plenty of nonprofit experience, and has lived all over the world. She is convinced there is no community quite like the Lakes Region when it comes to giving.

“I am infatuated with this community and the level of dedication and caring,” Kelley said.

While Bailey died in August, his legacy lives on with the auction, and the inspiration he provided for people to help.

“What is so astonishing is that the community rallied behind him, and it just keeps growing and growing,” Kelley said. “It is truly inspiring to know this has lived on past Warren.”

For many, times are as tough as they get. Kelley said they have received 82 grant applications asking for a total of $1.1 million, and, should they be able to fund them all, the auction will help 42,000 local children.

“That is pretty Earth-shattering.”

She said the number of applications for grants and potential kids served is the most the auction team has ever seen.

Kelley has plenty of stories, from those who have helped to people paying it forward after being assisted years ago. She spoke about a Moultonborough business owner, who told her his family was a beneficiary of the auction when he was growing up. Years later, the business owner was able to drop off a $500 check.

“I think that kind of tradition lives on,” Kelley said. “There are quite a few families who have been recipients who are now very involved.”

This goes right back to a young Bailey, who got the idea to start the auction when he saw poverty first-hand as a WLNH radio host awarding someone with a check for displaying the radio station’s bumper sticker on their vehicle. When the recipient opened their door, Bailey saw the family was surviving on next to nothing.

“This is what really started it,” Kelley said. “This year, we are really highlighting the work of our founder, Warren Bailey, who was incredibly thoughtful and generous.”

The auction starts Tuesday, but online bidding for high price items has been live since Black Friday. There are more than 30 local businesses collecting items for bid, which can be dropped off through Friday, Dec. 5.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday through Monday, Dec. 6-8, at Belknap Marketplace in Belmont, people are encouraged to drop off items like new games, toys, sporting goods and household items. If you can’t make it within that timeframe, people can drop off items at Mattress Firm, as well.

“The beautiful thing here is that no item is too small or too large,” Kelley said.

There are two new aspects of the Children's Auction this year. Capt. Paul Smith, aka Capt. Smitty, of the M/S Mount Washington, is involved with the Warren Bailey Giving Legacy, and will match up to $5,000 donated. Checks should be made out to the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction with “Warren Bailey” in the memo. You can also Venmo @Childrens-Auction with “Warren Bailey” in the memo.

Lake Life Realty and Stephens Landscaping have also donated $10,000 each, and are challenging the community to match those gifts, to turn that total into $30,000.

The auction starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, running until 7 p.m. each day until Friday, Dec. 12.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 will be Family Night, where people can come by Belknap Marketplace from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for a night of free fun. Santa Claus and the Grinch will greet the kids and snap photos, and there will also be toy-building in Santa’s workshop, holiday cookie decorating, face painting, live music, a free book giveaway from the Kiwanis Club, and the annual Christmas singalong with the Snow Family.

Pub Mania is on Thursday, Dec. 11, where teams of 12 divvy up an hour each on the stool at Patrick’s Pub & Eatery in Gilford.

“For about 14 Pub Mania sessions, it has grown every year, and we certainly hope it does this year, as well,” said Patrick’s Pub owner Allan Beetle. “But you never know until it happens. That’s a lot of the fun.”

There are 30 stools with plaques holding team names hanging above each around the bar. Each team has captains who work throughout the year, holding events and raising money. The event will start with an opening ceremony, then five hours of games, and six hours of live music to wrap up the 12-hour stint, which runs 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

The public is invited throughout the event, as the restaurant remains open for business. People can make a donation, and can also bring non-perishable food items to be donated to St. Vincent de Paul.

Beetle said it is great to be part of a circle of caring like that exhibited each year with Pub Mania and the Children’s Auction.

“It feels really good,” he said. “It has become something we are very proud of, and something that makes the season extra special for us.”

The auction culminates on Friday, Dec. 12. During the closing ceremony, a check for the total raised by Pub Mania teams will be presented, factoring into the announcement of the grand total.

“We would love for as many people to come to the auction,” Kelley said. “It is so magical, and we want to invite them to see the magic in person.”

While Kelley said she doesn’t normally reveal a goal, this year she has high hopes they will bring in $900,000.

“Can we do it? I don’t know, but guess what? This community has never let me down,” Kelley said. “I think this is the time where people need us the most, and I hope we can make that happen.”

The Greater Lakes Region Charitable Fund for Children is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations made are tax-deductible.

The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction runs 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Dec. 9-12, at Belknap Marketplace in Belmont. It will be streamed live at laconiadailysun.com and childrensauction.org, as well as on Lakes Region Public Access, channels 25 and 9002 on Breezeline, and Comcast Channel 8. Lakes 101.5 FM will also broadcast the event each day.

To check out the bid board, visit childrensauction.org.