Christine McKenny launched the Gingerbread Stroll in 2010 with perennial philanthropist Lynn McBee, raising much-needed funds for children’s charities. The event, which auctions off chef-created gingerbread houses in partner retail stores throughout Highland Park Village, celebrated 10 years last year. Christine says that year 11 is going to be even better.
“It is difficult to believe this is the 11th year for The Gingerbread Stroll! It has been a group effort and has given over $160,000 to Dallas area children’s charities over the years.” McKenny said. “We still have several sponsors, a few pastry chefs, and a few stores which have been with us since the beginning!”
Last year was a tough one, not just for charities but for the people who make the Gingerbread Stroll a gingerbread stroll: the pastry chefs.
“COVID really hurt the hotel event industry, so several of our long-standing pastry chefs were furloughed,” McKenny lamented. “Organizations are just now beginning to host large luncheons and fundraising events again, so we hope to have more hotels pastry chefs participate in the next year or two.”
Community Partners of Dallas is taking another turn this year as the Gingerbread Stroll beneficiary. The Stroll has raised tens of thousands of dollars for children’s charities throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth region, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to programs and materials that help kids thrive.
For McKenny, a leading luxury Realtor with Allie Beth Allman & Associates, giving back to the community is something that she’s been doing for much longer than selling homes.
“Many don’t know I worked in nonprofit fundraising and development for several years before transitioning into real estate,” McKenny said. “God gave me a creative mind, and while at Genesis Woman’s Shelter, I created and organized their very first annual luncheon!”
For McKenny, the Gingerbread Stroll enabled her to combine the best of her talents — charity work and real estate.
“Each November, I just market and sell a few extra houses … Gingerbread Houses! As a team, the sponsors, pastry chefs, merchants, and I have funded a new ‘intake room’ for the children served by Community Partners of Dallas. This room looks like a small playhouse and has a bed, toys, and a desk for the kids. It is wonderful that the Gingerbread Stroll team is able to bring talents together to help others!”
While the pastry chefs truly outdo themselves each year, don’t ask McKenny to tell you her favorite. She loves them all — especially the family tradition that the event has created.
“It is fun to study the gingerbread houses and get ideas for decorating a gingerbread house with family,” McKenny said. “My daughter and I have a group of friends we have met each year since she was three to decorate gingerbread houses. It truly is a memorable tradition for us!”
Unsurprisingly, the pastry chefs feel the same way.
“I love that I am able to use my powers of creativity for good!” says pastry chef Kristina Kent of Evil Queen Confections. “Seriously, I love that I am able to make a real difference by doing something I love! I look forward to doing this every year!”
Daltxrealestate.com is a proud sponsor of the Gingerbread Stroll, and we’re more than excited about the gorgeous designs up for bid this year. Bidding opens Nov. 19 and runs until Nov. 30.
To donate online, go here.
Participating stores and pastry chefs:
Beretta Gallery | Chocolate Secrets | Chocolatier Chef: Master Chocolatier, Rocio Estrada
BIRD Bakery | BIRD Bakery Team
Bistro 31 | Pastry Works | Pastry Chef Arielle Sutcliffe
ETRO | Hilton Anatole | Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Feyt
James Perse | Pastry Works | Pastry Chef Arielle Sutcliffe
LA LIGNE | Hotel Crescent Court | Resident Gingerbread House Expert Kristina Morgan
MARKET Highland Park | Evil Queen Confections | EvilQueenConfections.com | Pastry Chef Kristina Kent
Roller Rabbit | Charlie’s Burgers and Street Tacos | Pastry Chef Winter Lockwood-Frank
Trina Turk | Gingerbread House Master Creations by Kristen Schweiger & Marsha Schweiger
The Village Barbers | Chocolate Secrets | Chocolatier Chef: Master Chocolatier, Rocio Estrada
