Brian Gluckstein among designers who have created holiday gingerbread houses up for auction in support of the Children's Aid Foundation

Online auction begins today at www.cafdn.org/gingerbread

TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2013 /CNW/ - Ever dream of having one of Canada's top designers in your house? Here's your chance this holiday season.  The Children's Aid Foundation is launching today Gingerbread by Design, an exciting online auction where you can have the chance to win a one-of-a-kind custom gingerbread house created by leading Canadian designers. Between December 10 to 17, members of the public can go online and place their bids through the Children's Aid Foundation's online auction, www.cafdn.org/gingerbread . During the same week, the gingerbread houses are also on display for public viewing in the lobby of Toronto's Shangri-La Hotel.

Prominent Canadian designers have created a blue-print of a gingerbread house, reflecting their personal style and flare, which were then built by pastry chefs in Toronto. In addition to winning the gingerbread house, successful bidders will receive the framed, original sketch signed by the designer and an amazing package of a one- night stay in a premier king room at Toronto's Shangri-La Hotel and a $300 credit towards dinner for two at Bosk, the hotel's signature restaurant. All funds raised in the online auction will support programs funded by the Children's Aid Foundation that help Canada's abused and neglected children and young adults currently or formerly living in the child welfare system.

"This is a wonderful opportunity to teach children that Christmas is about giving and receiving," says Joe Canavan, Chairman and Interim CEO, the Children's Aid Foundation.  "These stunning one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses, created by celebrated Canadian designers and professional pastry chefs will add a festive season touch to your home during the holidays. At the same time, it will also give kids and teens living in foster care, who don't have families and are overcoming the trauma of neglect and abuse, a better holiday season."

Gingerbread house blue-prints are created by designers: Brian Gluckstein (Gluckstein Design); Dee Dee Taylor Eustace (Taylor Hannah Architect); Jillian Harris (who appeared on ABC's The Bachelorette and is now and co-host of Vancouver's Love it or List It); Jill Kantelberg (Kantelberg & Co.) and Brad Smith (Gray Smith Inc.). The houses have been built by various pastry chefs including those from Toronto's Shangri-La Hotel, Vita Sociale restaurant, Cafe Boulud at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, CaterTrendz and Lindsey Bakes.

Gingerbread by Design is part of the Children's Aid Foundation's Hope for the Holidays campaign, where you can also make a donation or purchase a gift for a child or family in need this holiday season at www.cafdn.org/holidayhope .

About the Children's Aid Foundation
An astonishing number of children in Canada are at risk and need our help. Many suffer in poverty, while others have been victims of abuse and neglect. A staggering 76,000 of them live in foster homes or a residential facility. The mission of the Children's Aid Foundation is to fund programs that give them skills and hope for a promising future.

SOURCE: Children's Aid Foundation

Heather Lochner, ImpressionsPR
[email protected]; 647-269-7180