Spring Shuffle to Benefit the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund Kicks Off Wednesday, April 29 and Runs Through June 10

Since 2013, Shufflers have raised $160,896 for children and families in need 

GILFORD—Pub Mania teams—and all others interested in taking part—may take to the streets once again on Wednesday, April 29, walking and running each Wednesday through June 10 as part of the spring Shuffle.

Created as a key fundraiser for the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund in 2013, the Shuffle is simply a walk—or run—from Patrick’s Pub up to the Bank of NH Pavilion and back, or as far as each participant wishes to walk, with personal bests encouraged. Shufflers are those who take part.

Each Shuffler donates $10 per week via the online nonprofit payment portal GiveGab, or $70 for the seven weeks, and in this fun and healthy way, $160,896 has been raised over the past 13 years to support children and families in need.

Volunteers man the Shuffle course from 5 to 6 p.m. to keep participants safe and hand out tickets for a raffle at Patrick’s at 6 p.m., which concludes each week’s event. 

Lisa Cornish, captain of the Juggernaut Fitness team, was first involved with the Shuffle as a walker, but after several years, she began volunteering. She can be found on the course just beyond the entrance to the pavilion, where she hands out a raffle ticket to each Shuffler who passes her.

“I observe kind-hearted, amazing people who want to make a difference and do,” she said. “They are all cheerful and happy to do their part. They make my heart smile.”

Cornish added that Shufflers value the sense of community with one another. “During the raffle, there is such a feeling of comradery and family,” she said. “People value the friendships they have made, and the impact they make on the lives of all the children they help.”

Judi Taggart, of Gilford, the captain of Tagg Team, one of Pub Mania’s most active teams, has been helping to manage traffic at the start of the Shuffle course at the Patrick’s entrance since the Shuffle began. 

She enjoys keeping people safe and answering questions for new participants, like “What’s a Shuffler?” She is also likely to tell them, “Together, we are making a difference.”

Taggart said Shufflers like to walk with their Pub Mania teammates and friends and catch up every Wednesday.

“Some like to bring their dogs for a stroll over to Bank of NH Pavillion, and they like that their donation is helping local families in need,” she added. “And they really like to win gift cards and swag during the post-shuffle raffle and purchase bagels donated by Winnipesaukee Bay Gulls.”

On the last night of the spring Shuffle, Wednesday, June 10, three teams will be awarded a Top Team prize and receive a $100 gift card to Patrick’s. A gift card raffle will also be held, and a Shuffle gift will be given to all Shufflers who donated $10 for each of the seven spring Shuffles.

For more information, visit patrickspub.com and click on the Pub Mania Shuffle icon.