Gingerbread bash brings big bucks for Habitat                      
by Jim Crawford

CAVE CREEK – In only its second year the "Raising the Roof for Habitat for Humanity Gingerbread Gala 2006" almost tripled the amount raised in its inaugural year.

Chefs from area resorts and restaurants and local citizens built and decorated gingerbread houses to be auctioned at the event.

Last year the event raised a total of $6,000 to be used toward building a new Habitat home. This year the event raised $15,000, with a matching donation from Heather and Nick Bonnano at Desert Tranquility Nursery for a $30,000 total.

"That amount will sponsor one half of a new home," said Linda Raish, development director for Habitat's Desert Foothills affiliate. "We're breaking ground on a new home to be built at Blue Ridge and Cave Creek Roads in Cave Creek. Construction will start in February."

So far, since becoming affiliated with the Desert Foothills chapter of Habitat, the organization has built 12 homes with a goal of 50 by 2010, Raish said.

"We're going to have to get busy," she said. "This money will go a long way to helping us reach our goals."