Try as hard as possible, the multi-day November snowstorm couldn’t freeze the annual Gingerbread & Jazz Gala on November 9th.

After all, for 27 years, it has been the flagship fundraiser for the smallest of Early Connections learning centers.

In 2024, the evening took place in the Western style for the first time with Stetsons and jeans for some, cocktail outfits for others. The setting, Flying W Ranch.

A sold-out crowd of 300 responded by offering a record $125,000 for early childhood education programs.

It was also announced that community members were helping families during the holidays by adopting children during the 29th annual Stockings for Kids program. Gifts for adopted children will be delivered to the Daycare for a celebration on December 7. To adopt: roonga.com/earlyconnectionsorg

As shared by Liz Denson, President and CEO of Early Connections, the centers are Colorado’s oldest nonprofit child care organization, providing early childhood care and education services to children from families with limited means since 1897.

The architecturally beautiful historic nursery was the first center, established in 1923 at 104 E. Rio Grande St. Near downtown, it is quite grand, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was actually built for the children served.

Other centers are located at 108 Antlers Place, 1465 S. Chelton Road and 550 Sand Creek Drive.

Early Connections also partners with the free, drop-in Court Care program for children of families in the 4th Judicial District Court Judicial Building.

The Early Connections kids were the video stars of the evening as adorable “little superheroes,” and their on-screen debuts are available on Facebook.

A traditional treat for the folks at Gingerbread & Jazz, snug inside the Saddle Ballroom, was the gingerbread showcase featuring the intricate gingerbread village created by Frank Rotunda, Nico Rotunda and Angela Castellanos.

The event’s headline act was Music on the Brink, the Flying W Wranglers, Julie Bradley and Friends, the Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale and the Youth Symphony’s Ascent Jazz Combo.

Doherty High School Navy Junior ROTC cadets were the happily busy volunteers for the evening.