Hampshire Life Your time: Helping Habitat for Humanity
Front, from left, Joanne Morgan, from left, Mary Martone, Tracey Pass Purchase photo reprints »
Melissa Fowler, Dyani Morgan Purchase photo reprints »
Kristina Derouin Purchase photo reprints »
Abby Robinson, from left, Chelsea Mallet, Shannen Curtin, Lily Wallace Purchase photo reprints »
Lily Wallace Purchase photo reprints »
Rosa Iris Purchase photo reprints »
Team Jackson Street School ESP, from left, Maria De La Vega, Vivian Flores, Jose Alicea, Laylah Alicea Purchase photo reprints »
Jackson Street School ESP Purchase photo reprints »
Cassie Hancock, from left, Helen Austin, Laura Freeman, Catherine Balletto Purchase photo reprints »
Team Immanuel Lutheran Church of Amherst Purchase photo reprints »
Team Firehouse Purchase photo reprints »
Team Nicky D's Purchase photo reprints »
Joanne Morrison Purchase photo reprints »
Ingredients Purchase photo reprints »
Team Epstein, Gemma Weisenfreund, Rachel Epstein, Izzy Epstein Purchase photo reprints »
Team Epstein, Gemma Weisenfreund, Rachel Epstein, Izzy Epstein Purchase photo reprints »
A total of 36 teams built gingerbread houses on Dec. 7 at the Eastworks building in Easthampton to benefit Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.
Team Epstein was recognized for raising the most money and Team Jackson Street ESP received a first place “Public Choice Award” for its creation.
Each team raised money through pledges and entry fees; a silent auction of the houses generated additional dollars.
The houses were as diverse as the mix of competing teams from businesses, churches, schools and families.
The team from Nicky D’s, a used car and auto body business in Easthampton, included cars in their design.
Team Firehouse made a likeness of the former Easthampton Fire Station.
Joanne Morrison of Worthington came up with a design based on the fairy tale “Three Little Pigs.” Morrison, who was there with her husband, David, sons Bryce, Torey and Sam, and Torey’s friend, Tenzin Chodon, said her family enjoys participating in activities for charity: “I wanted to involve our whole family in a Christmas project. They had so much fun.” Morrison fashioned the pigs from pink strawberry-flavored marshmallows.
A team from a humanities club at Belchertown High School sported Santa Claus hats, as did many others. There were exceptions, though: Culinary arts students from Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School in Northampton wore their chef’s hats and uniforms as they worked on their creation.
River Valley Market supplied gingerbread and frosting for the contest.
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