When you visit the Gingerbread for Humanity booth at Dickens on Nov. 23-25:

§ We’ll treat you to a professional family portrait taken by Go Life Imaging with your $5 donation to Gingerbread for Humanity.

§ You can enter two raffles to win a child’s backyard playhouse or decorated gingerbread houses.

§ You can pre-register to attend the Dec. 8 Gingerbread for Humanity event at Trinity Presbyterian Church to benefit North Collin County Habitat for Humanity.

§ You can order a pre-packaged Gingerbread for Humanity gingerbread-decorating kit.

The seventh annual Gingerbread for Humanity event is set from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 Virginia Parkway in McKinney. This heartwarming holiday event combines charitable giving with the fun of decorating your own gingerbread house to take home. Decorate your pre-built gingerbread house with loads of icing and a smorgasbord of candy from the candy buffet. And, Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet participants and take photos. All proceeds benefit North Collin County Habitat for Humanity in McKinney.

“This is definitely a feel-good, worthwhile event because it’s so much fun and it raises funds for North Collin Habitat, which enables low-income families to achieve the dream of home ownership with dignity,” said Pam Hatch, a Gingerbread for Humanity organizer. “Our event always sells out, so we encourage everyone who wants to attend to pre-register in advance.”

To pre-register, please go online to www.tpcmckinney.org and click on “Gingerbread” or call 972-542-4629. (Pre-registration costs $30 and closes on Dec. 2. Walk-ins will pay $35 on the day of the event, if space is available.) You can also go online to order pre-packaged gingerbread kits for your holiday party, scout troop or just to enjoy at home if you can’t make it to the Dec. 8 Gingerbread event.

Pre-registration will also be accepted at the Gingerbread for Humanity booth at Dickens of a Christmas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24; and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25 in historic downtown McKinney. The Gingerbread booth will be located near the northeast corner of the square on Virginia.

“During the Christmas season of giving, people truly want take part in activities in which they can do something good for others,” explained Dawn Serr, a Gingerbread for Humanity organizer. “That is why we put on this event every year. At Gingerbread for Humanity, everyone has a great time while making a positive difference in the community.”

For more information about Dickens of a Christmas, visit www.downtownmckinney.com.

We invite you to learn more about Trinity Presbyterian Church or Gingerbread for Humanity by clicking on the embedded links or by going to www.tpcmckinney.org.

About Gingerbread for Humanity - Come be a part of a growing tradition that combines lots of fun with the opportunity to make a positive difference in your community. Decorate your very own gingerbread house for the holidays with your loved ones while supporting North Collin County Habitat for Humanity. You can opt for a kit that contains a fully assembled gingerbread house and plenty of frosting and candy for decorating, or you can attend our Dec. 8 event, where we supply fully assembled gingerbread houses, lots of icing, tons of candy trimmings, and loads of fun. Mrs. Claus will be on hand for photographs with decorators and their gingerbread creations. It’s a great time for a greater good. All proceeds benefit North Collin County Habitat for Humanity.