LAKEWOOD — Brookdale Lakewood will host the inaugural Gingerbread CASA’s for CASA Decorating Contest to benefit CASA of Chautauqua County.

The event will be held at Brookdale Lakewood, 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, from 1:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. For a donation of $25, decorators will receive a pre-assembled gingerbread house and all supplies needed to build their own one-of-a-kind gingerbread house. To reserve a gingerbread house, call Brookdale Lakewood at 665-2414 by Tuesday, Nov. 26. Reservations are limited. The public is invited.

Gingerbread decorators are encouraged to enter their creations into the gingerbread house contest. Trophies will be awarded to the most creative, most festive and best Dr. Seuss themed entries. Groups are permitted to work on one house together. Contest judging starts at 3:30 p.m. with guest judge Noel Blackhall from The Media One Radio Group. Those participating must give Brookdale Lakewood a team name when making a reservation.

Santa Claus and reindeer will visit. There will also be a hot cocoa and cookie bar, decorating tips and tricks, a coloring station and other events. A candy buffet station will be provided and fully stocked with all holiday candy and treats needed to create a custom gingerbread house. Part of the event will be a basket giveaway with all event proceeds to benefit CASA of Chautauqua County.

To donate to the basket giveaway, call Kelly Fiorella, CASA fund development coordinator, at 753-4132 or email kfiorellacasa@gmail.com. Make checks payable to CASA of Chautauqua County and mail to Brookdale Lakewood, 220 Southwestern Drive, Lakewood, NY 14750. All money raised will be used to fulfill CASA’s mission of supporting volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Chautauqua County. Those unable to attend but who want to support the mission of CASA, a tax-deductible donation can me made online at Chautauquacasa.org or by sending a check to CASA of Chautauqua County Inc. at 2 Academy St., Suite 5, Mayville, NY 14757.