The Salvation Army has announced Tracycakes Bakery Cafe as the winner of its first Gingerbread Houses for Hope contest held from Nov. 24 to Dec. 22.
The cafe receives a $2,000 print advertising campaign package donated by event partner The Abbotsford News.
Their gingerbread creation raised $287.50. Each dollar that was donated was counted as one vote.
The contest was a new event for The Salvation Army – Abbotsford and Mission, raising a total of $614.
Businesses that participated were Just Ink Services, Livwell Collective, Razor’s Edge Hair Gallery, Karl’s Meat Market and Vintelier – a kettle location for donations.
“This was a trial year for the event and we are very pleased that it raised awareness and we had the opportunity to do an event within the historic downtown core,” said Kim Hissink, fundraising coordinator for the Salvation Army.
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“We look forward to the event growing year over year and invite all businesses to participate. It is a great opportunity for families to visit downtown Abbotsford at Christmas time and vote for their favourite creations.”
The money raised will be used in several programs at the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope, including the meal centre – providing over 300 meals per day – and Family Services, which offers a multitude of support services to local families.
Tracy Dueck, owner of Tracycakes, thanked customers and the community who donated to the cause.
“We are so pleased to support and build up the women in our communities using simple building blocks – like gingerbread houses – to promote empowering women to believe in themselves and what they can do,” she said.
Abbotsford News publisher Carly Ferguson said the publication was pleased to participate in the new initiative.
“The Abbotsford News has a long history of supporting the Salvation Army and the Abbotsford downtown,” she said.
Call Kim Hissink at 604-852-9305 (ext. 138) for information on participating in the Gingerbread Houses for Hope over the 2019 holiday season.