UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Holiday spirit was contagious at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center on Dec. 8, as more than 200 people gathered to decorate gingerbread houses to support Penn State THON.

Penn State’s Auxiliary & Business Services hosted the inaugural gingerbread decorating event, with support from the Penn State Bakery, the Penn Stater, and THON leadership and volunteers.

The Penn State Bakery provided 50 assembled gingerbread houses and all the decorating supplies. As holiday music set the mood, teams of decorators selected peppermints, gumdrops, hard candy, nonpareils, ribbon candy and more to create intricate gardens, shingled roofs, festive trees and other holiday trimmings.

All proceeds from the event, totaling $1750, will benefit THON.

“Penn State Auxiliary & Business Services was excited to bring a new and annual holiday tradition to the Penn State and State College community while raising awareness and benefiting THON,” said John Papazoglou, associate vice president for Auxiliary & Business Services. “We were thrilled about the sold-out event and look forward to growing the event each year to provide a memorable seasonal experience for our community.”