SUPERVISOR DONATES GINGERBREAD VILLAGE TO POLINSKY CENTER

Board of Supervisors Chair Pam Slater-Price Gives Creation to Center for Children's Enjoyment

A five-foot-tall gingerbread "village" has been donated to the Polinsky Children's Center by Chairwoman Pam Slater-Price, just in time for the holiday season.

The village, called "Step Into the Magic of Castillo Encantado," was the first place winner at Gingerbread City, a recent gingerbread structure competition and fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation. Chairwoman Slater-Price was co-chair of the event.

Chairwoman Slater-Price was the top bidder for the village at $450. She purchased the village with her own personal money. It is now set up in the Polinsky Children's Center cafeteria.

"I chose the Polinsky Center as the recipient because the Gingerbread Village is a wonderful holiday fantasy and these children certainly need some joy and happiness in their lives, especially at the holidays," she said. "I knew they would appreciate the beauty and magic of this village and hope it will lighten their hearts with its expression of love."

"We are grateful to Chairwoman Slater-Price for remembering the children who cannot be with their families by donating this festive and fun Gingerbread Village," said Mary Harris, Director, Child Welfare Services.

The Village was donated to the Foundation by the Barona Band of Mission Indians. It was created by the Band's Head Pastry Chef Loic Laffargue with a team of four other chefs (Dean Thomas, Stefan Vukotich, David Ogonowski and Brian Poteete). It is so heavy that it had to be supported by wood trellises in the back.