MAYVILLE — Brookdale Lakewood will host the inaugural Gingerbread CASA’s for CASA Decorating Contest to benefit CASA of Chautauqua County.

The event will be held at Brookdale Lakewood, 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14.

For a donation of $25, decorators will receive a pre-assembled gingerbread house and all supplies needed to build their own one-of-a-kind gingerbread house. To reserve a gingerbread house, call Brookdale Lakewood at 665-2414 by Tuesday, Nov. 26. Reservations are limited. The public is invited.

Gingerbread decorators are encouraged to enter their creations into the gingerbread house contest. Trophies will be awarded to the most creative, most festive and best Dr. Seuss-themed entries. Groups are permitted to work on one house together. Contest judging starts at 3:30 p.m. with guest judge Noel Blackhall from The Media One Radio Group. Provide Brookdale Lakewood with a team name when making a reservation.

Guests will be treated to a special visit from Santa Claus and his reindeer, a hot cocoa and cookie bar, decorating tips and tricks from Chef Mark, a coloring station and more courtesy of Brookdale Lakewood. A candy buffet station will be provided and fully stocked with all holiday candy and treats needed to create a custom gingerbread house. Part of the event will be a basket raffle with all event proceeds to benefit CASA of Chautauqua County.

Thank you to Brookdale Lakewood and The Trophy House for sponsoring the event. To donate to the basket raffle, call Kelly Fiorella, fund development coordinator at 753-4132 or email kfiorellacasa@gmail.com. Make checks payable to CASA of Chautauqua County and mail to Brookdale Lakewood, 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, NY 14750. All monies raised from the 1st Annual Gingerbread CASA’s for CASA Decorating Contest will be used to fulfill CASA’s mission of supporting volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Chautauqua County. If unable to attend but interested in supporting the mission of CASA, a tax-deductible donation can be made online at Chautauquacasa.org or by sending a check to CASA of Chautauqua Co., Inc. at 2 Academy Street, Suite 5, Mayville, NY 14757.

The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Chautauqua County is to provide an independent voice in court, advocating for the best interest of abused and neglected children in the pursuit of finding safe and permanent homes. CASA of Chautauqua County, Inc. relies on highly trained volunteers who are appointed by a Chautauqua County Family Court Judge to advocate for children in court. These volunteers work with relevant agencies and parties in order to advocate for the best interest of the child. With the information provided by the CASA volunteer, Family Court Judges are better able to make informed decisions as to what is best for the child.