2025 Sweepstakes Social Sells Out, Raising $30,000 for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction and Cash Prizes

$5,000 also raised for the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship

LACONIA—Hundreds boarded the M/S Mount Washington at Weirs Beach Friday night, selling out the 2025 Sweepstakes Social and raising $15,000 in cash prizes and $15,000 in matching cash to Pub Mania teams that support the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction.

The sixth annual event also raised $5,000 for the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship, which awards $5,000 in grants each year to Lakes Region graduating seniors to support their college journeys.

The scholarship honors Warren Bailey, the founder of the Children’s Auction who passed away recently.

Coincidentally, the Sweepstakes Social was held only hours after a four-hour celebration of life for Bailey at Gunstock Resort. Many of those who attended the memorial were on board the Mount in the evening, continuing to honor a community hero.

“It was so appropriate that an event raising funds for the Children’s Auction and the scholarship in Warren’s name followed the celebration of his life,” said Event Organizer Jennifer Beetle.  “I think Warren would be very pleased with that.”  

Presenting sponsor Meredith Village Saving Bank and nine other local businesses supported the Sweepstakes Social, and Pub Mania Team Captain Judi Taggart of Tagg Team sold 59 event tickets and was given a shout-out on board for her efforts.

As party goers danced to music by Holycow! Music DJ, Jeff Lines, and enjoyed the late summer evening on the water, names were drawn intermittently for cash prizes. Individual winners received the prize and a matching amount went to the Pub Mania team they selected when purchasing their ticket.

“We had a blast on the Mount under perfect skies last night, and we’re grateful for all the support we received from teams that helped us sell out the event,” Beetle said. “We had lots of fun with a community of friends, and we did it for our region’s kids. That’s why we come out.”

Four $500 prizes went to Steve Wainwright and the Beetle Books team, June Hibbs and Tagg Team, Deb Peverly and Lakes Region Realtors, and Holly Ruggieri and Lakes of the Lake. 

Three $1,000 prizes went to Paul Ardizzoni, James Hutchins and Bill Finethy, with matching gifts for all three supporting Patrick’s Kings Corner. 

A $2,000 prize went to Susan Spooner-Bishop and Lakes Region Realtors; $3,000 to Bill Kaik and Body Covers; and the grand prize of $5,000 went to Wendy Beetle and Patrick’s Kings Corner.

Bailey founded the Children’s Auction as a one-day event in 1981, and over 44 years, it has grown into an organization that fundraises all year long and is supported by over 700 volunteers. The auction has raised over $9.2 million to fund local nonprofits.

Donations to the Warren Bailey Community Service Scholarship are accepted all year long via the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation. For more information, email [email protected].

For more information about the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, visit childrensauction.org.

For more information about Pub Mania, visit patrickspub.com.