Amber Rocklin and her son Ian decided that building a tiny gingerbread house to help a low-income family get into a permanent home of their own seemed like a good way to spend a Saturday.
Plus, there was the promise of plenty of ice cream.
“We were looking for something cheery to do and this seemed like a way to help someone who needs it,” Rocklin said, as 10-year-old Ian gave his full focus to applying gum drops to the roof of their gingerbread house.
Several other people hunched over their gingerbread creations on the heated patio of Little Man Ice Cream at its LoHi location, 2620 16th St. It was the same scene at Little Man’s sister location, Sweet Cooie’s, in Congress Park, 3506 12th Ave.
Both locations hosted the ice cream company’s second-annual gingerbread house decorating party, which was developed and sponsored by FirstBank. All the donations collected will be donated to Habitat for Humanity’s “Home for the Holidays” campaign, which aims to put families into their own homes during the holiday season.
About $1,300 was raised for Habitat for Humanity at the LoHi Little Man last year, said organizers.
A $15 donation earned participants a gingerbread house kit that includes a ready-to-decorate gingerbread home, colorful candies, icing, green fondant and more. Gingerbread builders also got a scoop of free ice cream, courtesy of FirstBank.
There was also free cocoa, refreshments and, at the LoHi Little Man, music from the band Old Fuss and Feathers. A raffle ticket gave someone a chance to win FirstBank prizes including a limited edition Never Summer snowboard and $100 visa gift cards.
About 200 gingerbread house kits, purchased at Costco by FirstBank, were available at both Little Man locations and they were quickly snatched up early Saturday afternoon.
Dominic DiCarlantonio, Little Man Ice Cream general manager said he wasn’t surprised the gingerbread event was top draw for families.
“When we first talked to FirstBank about doing something for the community, we wanted something that would bring people together, and we knew everyone loved Habitat and everything they do,” DiCarlantonio said. “This just has a great family feel to it, it’s something where everyone can just have some fun.”
Ian Rocklin needed little encouragement from his mom to get into decorating his gingerbread creation. “This is really fun and it’s great we both get to do it.”
䰿鷡ձ:This story was updated on Dec. 18, 2017, to clarify that the gingerbread-house kits were purchased at Costco by FirstBank, which is the creator and sponsor of the event.
