The Ladies of Charity, a volunteer organization associated with Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, will conduct a Gingerbread House Contest & Silent Auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon at Sacred Heart's Conference Center on Ninth Avenue. Deadline to sign up for the contest is Nov. 23.

Sacred Heart's Pediatric Care Center will be awarded half of the proceeds from the event and the Ladies of Charity will use the remainder for projects to support the poor in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. The Pediatric Care Center provides care to more than 15,500 children a year who come from low-income families.

A total of $600 in cash prizes will be awarded during the contest. Awards include "People's Choice" recognition, which calls for visitors to cast a $1 vote for their favorite sweet structure. In addition, first- and second-place winners in the following categories will be recognized with customized event ribbons and cash: youth ages 5 - 12; young adults ages 13 - 17; adults ages 18 and up; and business/professional. Additional categories include "Most Creative" and "Fictional/Landmark." 

All of the gingerbread houses will go up for silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Winners will be announced at noon that day. All winners of the silent auction houses must be present at noon to win. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos and the event includes free popcorn and lemonade, a bake sale, and candy and coloring books for children. Door prizes will be given away, too.  

To obtain an entry form to enter the gingerbread house contest, or for more information about the event, please call Leslie Lacoy at (850) 416-7116 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.