Gingerbread contest sweet fundraiser for Brownsville Library
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Michelle Hajduk looks over her unfinished model house she is creating for the Brownsville Area Free Public Library’s Christmas House Challenge.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Michelle Hajduk’s unfinished entry for the Brownsville Area Free Public Library’s Christmas House Challenge
The Brownsville American Legion on Brownsville Avenue will look – and smell – a lot like Christmas next week as the Brownsville Library Christmas House Challenge, a holiday house-building competition benefiting Brownsville Free Public Library, kicks off.
At least 30 holiday houses made from materials ranging from traditional gingerbread to pizza dough, Legos and dog food will line the inside of the legion hall and will be on display beginning Friday.
The purpose is sweet: to keep the library doors open.
Earlier this year, library director Emma H. Beaver said the 91-year-old library was in danger of closing because of funding concerns, before it received a $5,000 “bridge grant” and other donations that will keep the library operating in 2019.
“I was aware the library was having financial troubles and I was talking to a friend about it,” said organizer Margie McKinley, who was inspired by the holiday houses collection her late sister, Laura McKinley, had set out each year at Christmas. “I thought, why don’t we get people to create their own houses and we’ll display them and make it into a contest.”
Here’s how the contest works: participating individuals, businesses and organizations select a theme and create a holiday house out of any materials they choose. People can view the gingerbread houses on display and then vote with their dollars. Prizes will be awarded in several categories, including which gingerbread house earns the most money and on appearance.
In addition, Brownsville Elementary School is holding a fundraising competition among homeroom classes, and the winning homeroom wins a pizza party.
Judges for the competition will be Charlie Perkins of the Classic Diner and Kathleeen Broadwater Hughes of Jerry’s Catering.
All proceeds from the gingerbread challenge will go to Brownsville Library.
“We’ve gotten a great response,” McKinley said. “The library offers so many programs and is such an asset to the community. We wanted to do something this Christmas to help out, in the spirit of the season. It’s fun, and hopefully it will draw attention back on the public library. Let’s get away from our computers at home and get the kids to the library.”
Note: The holiday houses will be on display at the American Legion, 119 Brownsville Ave., Brownsville, from noon to 7 p.m. from Dec. 7 to 15. Admission is free. For additional information, contact Margie McKinley at 724-785-6982.