LACONIA — The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction raised over $8,000 through its third An Evening of Broadway performance at the Colonial Theatre Laconia on Wednesday night, August 14th, 2024. The energy for the family-friendly event was incredible with over 400 people attending.
“The goals of our Broadway fundraiser are threefold,” said Jennifer Kelley, executive director of the Children’s Auction. “We raise money for the nonprofits that support local children and their families in need. We highlight the extraordinary talent in this community, and we create an event that gives children who might not otherwise have the opportunity a chance to experience the arts.”
Nearly 200 children from local nonprofits attended the show at no cost, thanks to donations from the community. Children and families that attended for free included members from the Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Central NH Foster & Adoptive Parent Support Group, Gilford Got Lunch!, Hands Across the Table, Kingswood Youth Center, Lakes Region Mental Health, The Pittsfield Youth Workshop, Step Up Parents, Waypoint Family Resource Center, Laconia, and 603 United.
The show offered Broadway musical performances from local community theater and dance groups, including Broadway North Dance Studio, Franklin Footlight Theatre, Gilford Performing Arts, Interlakes Children’s Theatre, Miss New Hampshire, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, NYC Ladies, Stages Dance Academy, The Power Chords, and The Winnipesaukee Playhouse.
Lynn Dadian from the The Goal Tenders group rewrote lyrics from ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money” and performed to encourage people to donate to the auction.
The event was made possible through the Presenting Sponsor, Franklin Savings Bank. Media partners were The Laconia Daily Sun and Lakes 101.5 FM.
“An Evening of Broadway was such a fun night filled with exceptional talent and a great sense of community,” said Jennifer Prince, marketing and community engagement officer at Franklin Savings Bank. “It was heartwarming to see so many people come together to support local children and families in need.”
Kelley also thanked the show’s production team: directors Matt Demko, Heidi Bourgeois, Jennifer Prince and Paige Thompson; Christy Dunn, who coordinated all the music with Johanna Halperin as backstage manager; and Sean Carroll running audiovisual.
“Everything that we do as an organization is geared toward engaging the community to financially support children and families in need,” Kelley said. “Thank you to all for making this event a success.”
The evening’s emcee was local radio personality Pat Kelly, a loyal supporter of Lakes Region events and organizations, and, in particular, the arts.
Learn more about getting involved in the auction at childrensauction.org/getinvolved or learn more about sponsorship opportunities at childrensauction.org/sponsorship-opportunities.
Commenti