LACONIA — The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction (GLRCA) is looking for short video recordings of local talent to share during the auction event scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 11.
“Singers, dancers and perhaps even a reading of the “Night Before Christmas” would be welcome, creative additions,” Event Coordinator Jennifer Kelley said. To participate, contact Kelley at Jenn@ChildrensAuction.com or 603-527-0999; the auction will not accept unsolicited video.
“We want to ensure the messages are holiday appropriate and diverse,” Kelley said, noting that auction leaders would ensure that the entertainment is fresh and not repetitive. “Lakes Region Public Access recommends that you hold your phone horizontally, not vertically, and not use the “zoom” feature, to ensure that your content is in great shape for TV.”
Kelley said auction board members have also reached out to nonprofits who received grant funding in years past as well as sponsors from the last several years so that they too could share video greetings with this year’s online, TV and radio audiences.
Jaime Sousa, GLRCA board chairperson, announced in October that, because of the threat of COVID-19, this year’s auction will be held virtually from the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. “It was important for us to ensure that our bidders, volunteers, radio and television staff, donors and sponsors would be as safe and healthy as possible so that everyone can enjoy a wonderful holiday season,” Sousa said.
She added, “We are thrilled that the Bank of NH Pavilion has offered to let us broadcast and distribute items to winning bidders from their location. They have the technology we need and both the indoor and outdoor space required to keep everyone socially distanced.”
Because safety is a major factor this year, auction leaders will not accept donations during the event to ensure there is time to properly sanitize and photograph every item in a manner in which volunteers can social distance.
While many items have been received at this time, there is a need for thousands of items to raise enough money to meet the needs of the community.
“Local businesses have stepped up to gather items, allowing us to have item drives in their parking lots,” Sousa said. “Items need to be in by the end of November for us to safely prepare for the auction.”
Visit www.childrensauction.com for drop-off locations. Volunteers will also collect items on Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion. At all drop-off sites, donors must bring a completed form, available at https://bit.ly/32ahYHb.
Gift cards can be ordered online for donation to the auction; mail gift card donations to GLRCA, 383 South Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Only a small group of volunteers, radio and TV personnel will be welcomed on the auction set during the event. “We are sad that we cannot allow people to stop by to drop off checks and items, see the set or perform for us,” Sousa said. “We are gathering talent videos to provide that entertainment. While the auction will be different this year, it will still be exciting, warm and wonderful.”
Several new programs and benefits have already been announced as a result of the changes brought about by COVID. For instance, the Beetle family of Patrick’s Pub & Eatery has reimagined its Pub Mania fundraiser, instead launching the “It’s for the Kids Community Challenge” in its place. An unlimited number of teams of various sizes will be safely spread out at businesses throughout the Lakes Region.
In one other change this year, Sousa said all bidders will be able to schedule their pick-up this year to cut down on wait time and ensure that there will be much smaller groups of people at the Bank of NH Pavilion at any one time.
About the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction:
The Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction is a charitable event held every December in central New Hampshire. Countless volunteers and donors have turned the Auction and its many fundraising events, including, It’s for the Kids Community Challenge (formerly PubMania), into a major annual campaign. In the 39 years that the community has come together for the Auction, more than $6 million has been raised for local charities, all through volunteer efforts, community donations and corporate sponsorship. The Greater Lakes Region Charitable Fund for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps community organizations in the Central New Hampshire region. For more information about the Auction, the nonprofits it supports and how you can help, visit ChildrensAuction.com.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Kelley, Children’s Auction Coordinator
Jenn@ChildrensAuction.com
603-527-0999
383 South Main Street
Laconia NH 03246
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