The Children’s Crisis Center Verda’s House spent Tuesday afternoon getting in the holiday spirit by decorating gingerbread houses. The confectionery creations will be sold at a silent auction on Friday to benefit Verda’s House and The City of Turlock Recreation Youth Scholarship Program.
The Children’s Crisis Center of Stanislaus County operates five shelters in the area. They provide 24 hour emergency shelter and child care, and support services for families. They are a private, non-profit organization and they rely on donations and fundraising for much of their operating costs.
This is the second annual Gingerbread House Competition and Silent Auction. Kim Cook, nutrition program manager for Children’s Crisis Center, said that last year’s auction was a big success.
“To me, any time you can raise this much money from community donations, that’s a big success,” Cook said.
All of the houses will be sold at a silent auction on Friday, with 80 percent of the proceeds going to the Children’s Crisis Center, and 20 percent going to the City of Turlock Recreation Youth Scholarship Program. Cook could not comment on the amount of money raised at last year’s competition, but she said that community members made a substantial donation to the center.
The gingerbread house display, judging and auction will be open to the public at the Bob Endsley Building on East Main Street. The Downtown Christmas Parade will pass by during the competition.
“People started lining up outside pretty early last year. We’re selling coffee this year,” Cook said.
On Saturday, the Children’s Crisis Center will be hosting free children’s activities and the people’s choice gingerbread house award winners will be revealed. Santa will also be visiting the event to talk with the kids.
“We just wanted to do a free event for all children. They can come and decorate cookies, meet Santa and just have fun,” Cook said.
While entries for the competition are already closed, Cook invited all community members to view the gingerbread houses and bid in the auction from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at 331 E. Main St. The Saturday events will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the same location.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
The Children’s Crisis Center of Stanislaus County operates five shelters in the area. They provide 24 hour emergency shelter and child care, and support services for families. They are a private, non-profit organization and they rely on donations and fundraising for much of their operating costs.
This is the second annual Gingerbread House Competition and Silent Auction. Kim Cook, nutrition program manager for Children’s Crisis Center, said that last year’s auction was a big success.
“To me, any time you can raise this much money from community donations, that’s a big success,” Cook said.
All of the houses will be sold at a silent auction on Friday, with 80 percent of the proceeds going to the Children’s Crisis Center, and 20 percent going to the City of Turlock Recreation Youth Scholarship Program. Cook could not comment on the amount of money raised at last year’s competition, but she said that community members made a substantial donation to the center.
The gingerbread house display, judging and auction will be open to the public at the Bob Endsley Building on East Main Street. The Downtown Christmas Parade will pass by during the competition.
“People started lining up outside pretty early last year. We’re selling coffee this year,” Cook said.
On Saturday, the Children’s Crisis Center will be hosting free children’s activities and the people’s choice gingerbread house award winners will be revealed. Santa will also be visiting the event to talk with the kids.
“We just wanted to do a free event for all children. They can come and decorate cookies, meet Santa and just have fun,” Cook said.
While entries for the competition are already closed, Cook invited all community members to view the gingerbread houses and bid in the auction from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday at 331 E. Main St. The Saturday events will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the same location.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
