Honoring Warren Bailey: A Legacy of Love and Compassion through the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction

Jennifer Kelley
Aug 29
8 min read

Updated: Sep 1

Warren Bailey wasn't just a name; he was a beacon of hope for countless children and families in the Lakes Region. For over four decades, Warren dedicated his life to helping those in need, reminding us all of the profound impact one person can have on many. His commitment to service, generosity, and vision for a brighter future has culminated in the creation and success of the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction. This post serves to honor his legacy and inspire others to continue his work.

Watch Video of Warren Speaking at Pub Mania 2024

A Vision Born Out of Compassion

Warren’s journey began more than 40 years ago when he identified a pressing need in the Lakes Region. Children were facing hardships that many of us could hardly imagine. Empowered by his love for children, he envisioned a way to provide support through community engagement. His belief in the collective power of compassion resulted in the establishment of the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction, where the community could come together to raise funds for struggling families and children in need.

Over the years, Warren's vision transformed into a lifeline for many. The project quickly gained traction, attracting volunteers from all walks of life. The Auction has since distributed over $9.6 million, directly benefiting local children and families by supplying them with essentials, educational resources, and joyful experiences. Today, all funding is awarded by the Auction distribution committee. They review annual applications from area nonprofits and distribute the money accordingly.

The Heartfelt Commitment of a Community Leader

Most remarkable was Warren's genuine warmth and approachability. He was often found mingling with people

all year long, encouraging contributions, and spreading positivity. His belief was simple: When you help one child, you help an entire community. Under his careful leadership, the Auction grew from a small local event into a significant celebration drawing in people and donors from beyond the Lakes Region.

Warren was known for fostering relationships not just in his personal life but also among the various organizations and communities he collaborated with. He understood that successful fundraising requires collaboration and dedication. This approach cultivated an environment where families, businesses, and individuals felt motivated to contribute to the common good.

The impact of Warren’s efforts can be felt in the hearts of countless families. Many parents who have benefited from the Auction describe it not merely as an event but a symbol of hope and solidarity.

Testimonials from Beneficiaries

The real measure of Warren's impact can be seen through the words of those he helped. For instance, a local single mother recounted how the Auction provided her family with much-needed school supplies that they could not afford. Another parent reflected on how the Auction allowed them to experience things like summer camp that were previously out of reach.

Stories like these underline the meaningful change Warren brought to the lives of individuals and families in his community. These personal anecdotes provide a heartfelt glimpse into Warren's legacy. They serve as powerful reminders of the importance of community-driven initiatives and the incredible good that can emerge when individuals unite with a common purpose.

Inspiring Future Generations

While Warren Bailey may no longer be with us, his teachings and actions continue to inspire those he left behind. New leaders within the organization have emerged, driven by the same passion that motivated Warren over four decades ago. They carry forward his vision, implementing new ideas and strategies while keeping the original spirit of the auction alive.

In addition to the ongoing success of the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction, Warren’s influence can be seen in the numerous initiatives launched by local schools and youth organizations inspired by his legacy. Projects focused on community engagement, mentorship, and youth empowerment continue to flourish, proving that Warren’s spirit lives on through the actions of others.

The foundation he built reminds us that it is the little things in life that can create lasting change. People are encouraged to give back, whether through volunteering at events, donating items, or simply spreading the word about the auction's mission.

Continuing the Legacy of Generosity

Warren's equation of love and service was simple yet profound. He believed that everyone has something valuable to offer, and that community support is key to uplifting those in need. Here are some ways you can help your community.

Volunteer Your Time: The success of events like the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction relies heavily on community volunteers. By giving your time, you directly impact the event's success and the lives it touches.
Donate Items: Consider donating new Items. Whether it's gift certificates, toys, experiences, or household items, your contributions can make a huge difference in the Auction's effectiveness.
Financial Contributions: Every dollar counts. Consider making a donation or joining our sponsorship team. Your financial support helps continue the auction's mission of aiding families in need.
Spread Awareness: Share the mission of the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction on social media. By increasing awareness, you increase the likelihood of attracting more community participation.

As we remember Warren Bailey, it is essential we do not stop the momentum he helped create. Continuing his work is not just a tribute to his memory; it is a commitment to bettering the lives of those around us, one child at a time.

Reflecting on Warren's Lasting Impact

In honoring Warren Bailey, we celebrate more than just a man; we honor a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering commitment. His vision for the Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on countless lives, and it is a call to action for us to follow in his footsteps.

As we gather at the next Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction, let us think of Warren and the inspiration he was to so many. With every bid and every donation, we can help ensure that his spirit of generosity continues to thrive.

Let us hold onto hope, act from the heart, and build a brighter future for every child in the Lakes Region. After all, as Warren believed, the greatest gift we can offer is our unwavering support for one another. Let us move forward with the commitment to keep his dream alive, knowing that the power of community can create profound change. Let us honor Warren Bailey by continuing his legacy of love, compassion, and kindness, for many years to come.

Awards and Articles

Article on Warren Bailey in the 40 years For the Kids written by Janice Beetle Books,

Wielding the Power of the Microphone

Back in 1976, when Warren Bailey was starting his career as a morning DJ at WLNH, his mentor taught him something that has since changed the lives of thousands in the Lakes Region. “He told me, “The microphone is a powerful tool. Do something meaningful with it,’” Warren recalls.

It wasn’t a message Warren knew how to act on back then. He was 24. He had yet to glimpse need firsthand. But six years later, he knocked on the door of an apartment building in Laconia to let the resident inside know he’d won a prize for displaying a WLNH bumper sticker on his car.

There was no furniture inside. A baby was lying on the bare wooden floor, wrapped in a blanket. Warren was confused at first, thinking perhaps this man at the door was just moving in. Warren then realized he was looking at poverty in the eye for the first time.

Warren heard the echo of his mentor’s mantra and well understood what he needed to do. He gave birth to the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction that year, using the power of his microphone to raise money for children and families in need.

Broadcasting on WLNH from an unheated van parked on North Main Street, Warren raised $2,100, auctioning off two truckloads of items donated by people in the region. By ones, twos, and threes, over time, area residents got behind Warren’s passion, adding their own and creating an event that helps to sustain 62 area nonprofits that provide for children and families in need.

The Auction now involves thousands, many of whom give up a week’s vacation for the privilege of taking part in dozens of ways. The items that are auctioned off are so plentiful the event venue is vast. A nonprofit board now governs the Children’s Auction. The total raised continues to climb each year. In 2018, the Auction raised $580,584.

“It’s overwhelming,” says Warren, a gentle and tender man who gets weepy as he tells the Auction’s stories, which have played out over nearly four decades. They are the stories of the people who have helped the effort grow, the people who have been served and now give back. “It takes your breath away,” he adds. “The volunteers are there every year.”

Warren came to the Lakes Region and joined WLNH in 1976 after a working in radio in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for several years. “I fell in love with the area and the station. The local owner and our wonderful staff was there for me right from the beginning,” he says.

After leaving WLNH in 2001, Warren co-owned a radio station and later moved to television and digital sales. In 2015, he launched his own media-buying business, WB Media 1—the “1” added so the firm wouldn’t be confused with Warner Bros.

As he does each year, Warren will make his traditional appearance at the Auction, though, during the 38^th annual event, to be held from Dec. 3 to Dec. 7 at the Belknap Mall. Returning gives Warren the pleasure of hearing stories from children who were helped long ago and now give back in gratitude—like the young girl who walked away from the auction site 25 years ago, accompanied by a crying mother; the mom was deemed unworthy of assistance due to an addiction and sent away by a volunteer—long since excused from service. Warren chased the two out; he gave the mother $20, saying, “Promise me you will do something for your daughter with this.”

Not long ago, that girl—now a grown woman who is a paralegal in Boston—drove to the Auction. She asked for Warren personally, thanked him for the help he offered her late mother, and handed him a check for $1,000. “That’s the kind of impact that the Auction has had,” Warren said. “And that’s just one powerful story.”

In the beginning, Warren spread the word by asking everyone he met to listen to his story of the Auction and its magic for 10 minutes. In this way, he built steady and unexpected support and growth.

In 1998, Terry Hicks came to town as the new general manager for Metrocast and offered to televise the event, which had previously been broadcast only on the radio. Around the same time, businessman David McGreevy spearheaded the building of an elaborate set from which the Auction took place.

Alan McRae, who worked for the telephone company NYNEX, made it possible for the Auction to have four phones, instead of one. (Now there is an entire phone bank of volunteers.) And RJ and Bridget Harding, owners of the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, offered their entire staff and a host of equipment for the full week of the event, starting a tradition that continues still. The Auction that begin with Warren tabulating the proceeds with a pad of paper and a pencil became tech-savvy with the Harding’s IT assist.

Most recently, Patrick’s Pub & Eatery created Pub Mania, a 24-hour event that raises the lion’s share of each year’s profit, bringing in $353,361 last year and donating nearly $2 million over 10 years.

“The generosity of the community blows my mind,” Warren says. “People would so often come to the broadcast and hand me $10, knowing it’s the last $10 they have, but also believing that someone else needs it more. There’s no shortage of Christmas spirit at the Children’s Auction.”