‘TIS THE SEASON for gingerbread-house-making! Montrose Grace Place hosted more than 15 teams for an annual competition. Montrose Grace Place’s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for homeless youth of all sexualities and genders.

Held at Kindred Montrose, a beautiful church on Waugh, the fundraiser included festive beverages, snacks and a silent auction. Teams competed by building and decorating gingerbread houses and surrounding scenes, all in the name of snagging the Judge’s Choice Award. The decision-makers included radio personality Amir Diamond, Sister ZsaZsa Galor, Sister Gin Tervention and HIV awareness advocate Caleb Brown.

The winning creation was a metallic, geometric, Lady Gaga-inspired house titled “Welcome to Chromatica,” as announced by emcee Duckie DuJour.

All-in-all, the event was a huge success, per Board President Natalie Ferguson. “Days before the competition took place, we broke our previous fundraising record,” she said. “All of the funds raised will help us kick off 2022 in great spirits and in fantastic financial positioning.”

Mistress of Ceremonies Ducki DuJour with the first-place team / photo by Nick Moore

Executive Director Courtney Sellers with the kids category winner / photo by Nick Moore

Courtney Sellers with the Peoples Choice winners / photo by Nick Moore

The winning gingerbread house

A competition entry

Kenny Bacak, Melissa Rodriguez, Sarah Yates