If you are in Raleigh or can get to Raleigh on Thursday, the Gingerbread Benefit is a must-do holiday event.  I promise you will be amazed at the intricately designed gingerbread houses from the most talented chefs in the Triangle. Plus, you can bid on awesome prizes, see/hear the Sanderson Sandpipers and eat food prepared by the world-renowned Umstead chefs — all while helping area families in need! See the full release below for additional details and buy your tickets tonight! We hope to see you there.

Triangle Family Services’ 9^th Annual Gingerbread Benefit on Dec. 1 to Lift Holiday Spirits

— Auction of Gingerbread Houses Designed by Local Chefs to Help Local Families —

Raleigh, N.C. – November 29, 2011 – Local chefs are putting the finishing touches on gingerbread houses as volunteers arrange prize packages donated to Triangle Family Services’ 9^th Annual Gingerbread Benefit to be held Thursday, Dec. 1 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Umstead Hotel and Spa.

“In addition to elaborate gingerbread houses donated by the Triangle’s favorite chefs, there are many attractive prize packages available,” said Sue Rea, co-chair of the benefit. “The event is Thursday, so get your tickets now!”

Items range from a five-day Topsail Island retreat and two first-class AmericanAirlines tickets to stunning amethyst and diamond earrings from Diamonds Direct. For sports fanatics, packages include Carolina Mudcats, North Carolina Tar Heels and Durham Bulls tickets, and an 18-person Carolina Hurricanes suite.

“From an Eye Care Associates gift certificate to a fabulous Holly Aiken handbag, there’s no shortage of desirable auction prizes,” said Dana Hughens, publicity chair for the benefit and CEO of Clairemont Communications.

All proceeds from the evening will support local families in need. The live auction will be conducted by Jason McCoon of Tory Hill Auction Company, who is part of the History Channel’s new series, The Real Deal. The evening’s festivities, emceed by ABC 11’s Angela Hampton, will also include holiday music, drinks, desserts and other savory delicacies prepared by The Umstead’s top chefs.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tfsnc.org and are $85 each.

Platinum sponsors are the Seby B. Jones Family Foundation and The Umstead Hotel and Spa. Gold sponsors are Fifth Third Bank, LORD Corporation, Pierce Brinkley Cease + Lee and AmericanAirlines. Silver sponsors are CAPTRUST Financial Advisors, Carolina Hurricanes, Financial Directions Group Inc., Regency Centers, Vaco and Wells Fargo.

About Triangle Family Services®

For 75 years, Triangle Family Services has been battling critical issues in our community for the most vulnerable families. Its mission, “Building a stronger community by strengthening the family,” is fulfilled by providing programs in three key areas – financial stability, family safety and mental health services. Last year alone, Triangle Family Services served more than 7,000 Triangle area residents with 93 percent living below the poverty level.

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