Gingerbread
& Jazz

Saturday, November 9

We’re going to the ranch!

Don’t miss our beloved gala featuring fine foods, signature cocktails, musical performances, and ultimate Gingerbread Masterpiece showcase. Join us for an elegant evening celebrating the 27th Gingerbread & Jazz Gala at the enchanting Flying W Ranch.

Ticket Information

$125
Gala Ticket

Includes sweet and savory food stations, signature cocktails, musical performances, dancing, live auction, and Gingerbread Showcase (includes a tax-deductible donation of $60 per ticket).
SOLD OUT

$1,000
Gala Party Table

Includes ten (10) Gala Tickets at a 20% discount plus a reserved table for your group (includes a tax-deductible donation of $350 per table).
SOLD OUT!

$250
VIP Legacy Dinner

Our VIP Legacy Dinner is sold out! For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to nschiff@earlyconnections.org. Thank you for your support!
Sold Out!

Location

flying w ranch logo

Saddle Ballroom at Flying W Ranch 

We’re bringing our Gingerbread & Jazz Gala to the majestic Saddle Ballroom at Flying W Ranch, one of the most naturally beautiful places in Colorado. On November 9th, Early Connections will transform this stunning indoor venue for an unforgettable evening filled with delightful bites, sounds of joy, laughter, and music as we raise critical funds to provide children in Colorado Springs access to the highest quality early education and care.

Event Details

Saturday, November 9 | 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
VIP Legacy Dinner - Early Entrance
The evening includes musical performances, heavy appetizers, signature cocktails, and the Gingerbread Showcase.
Cocktail Attire or formal western welcomed, but not required.

Directions & Parking

Complimentary parking is available, with ample space for all guests.

live Auction lot

The Whiskey House in Nashville
Value: Priceless
Includes a trip for two with $1,500 stipend for travel, accommodations, and special experience while in Nashville. The Whiskey House tasting will include a tour of their museum of over 800 historical decanters and 4,000 open bottles. Enjoy a tasting of 8-12 pours completely customized around what you enjoy most. The only way to get to the Whiskey House is through a nonprofit event, so do not miss out on this opportunity! The more generous you are with your donation, the more generous the Whiskey House is with you when you visit.
Courtside Craze: Ultimate NBA Experience
Value: $3,000+ | Donors: Neil & Sandy Schroeder
Get ready for an unforgettable night of basketball at Ball Arena in Denver, CO as two of the NBA’s greatest players face off! On Friday, March 14, 2025, the Denver Nuggets play the Los Angeles Lakers where you’ll witness the reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and his unstoppable playmaking take on the legendary LeBron James in a highly anticipated matchup. Watch the game from 2 courtside seats all while enjoying the Lexus Club with unlimited food and drinks (the club opens 90 minutes prior to game time). This exclusive package also includes complimentary parking.
Around the World Wine Tour
Value: $3,000 | Donors: Mike & Diane Bell
Prepare for an extraordinary evening of top rated wines from around the world. This special tasting for eight people will be held at the home of Mike and Diane Bell with wines from their cellar. The wines have been selected to allow you and your guests to have the rare chance to sample some of the most highly rated red wines from France, Italy, South America, and Spain. The wines will be served with a dinner specifically prepared to enhance the wines. Starting Champagne French White Wines 2017 Willian Fevre Les Clos Chabils (JS 96) 2017 Chapoutier De L’Oree Marsanne (WA 99) Italy Tuscan Reds 2012 Antinore Solaia (WA 95) 2012 Casanova di Neri Brunello (WA 95) South America Chile and Argentina 2005 Concho Y Toro Don Melchor (WS 96) 2009 Paul Hobbs Cobos Marchiori (WS 96) Spain 2009 Emilio Moro Malleolus (WA96) 2008 El Nido (WA 96)
3-Day Colorado Motorcycle Adventure
Value: $2,000 | Donors: Colorado Motorcycle Adventure & Mike Finkbiner
Enjoy a three-day loop across the stunning Colorado landscape. Experience alpine aspen forests, rocky mountain passes, remote high desert landscapes, and tons of wildlife. Includes motorcycle, guide, meals and hotel accommodations. Must have motorcycle license to participate. 
Napa Valley Sip, Swing, and Feel like a Queen/King
Value: $1,500 | Donors: Levendi Winery & Castello di Amarosa
Make the most of a visit to Napa Valley by enjoying a private lunch and wine tasting at Levendi Winery. Then take in the stunning landscape by playing 18 holes at the Chardonnay Golf Club. This trip also includes a private tasting and tour of Castello di Amorosa, an authentically styled 14th century Tuscan castle winery in the Napa Valley. This special experience is good for four and includes a golf cart.
Four Firepit Tickets at Ford Amphitheater
Value: $1,000 | Donors: Brad & Sharon Gann
Pick any show in 2025 to enjoy from Suite 19, Section 203 – right in the center – at the new Ford Amphitheater. Enjoy the warm of the firepit while you order food and drinks from the suite’s personal server (good for four).
Custom Cowboy Hat
Value: $850 | Donor: Coleen Orr, Cowboy Up Hatters
Have an expert hat maker with over 30 years of experience make a hat that is perfect for you, both in fit and style. Coleen has an eye for detail and authenticity, this unique experience will leave you with a story and high-quality Beaver fur hat.
The Need for Speed
Value: $500 | Donor: Mike Finkbiner
Feel the speed and adrenaline rush with a high-performance driving experience with a certified Porsche driving coach at Pueblo Motorsports Park 9 turn 2.3-mile road course. Take your own high-performance vehicle (no SUV’s other than Porsche Macan or Cayenne) out on the racing track for a four-hour open track session (includes 4 30-minute on track session and coaching time).
NYE in Downtown Colorado Springs: Dinner + Concert 
Value: $500 | Donors: TILL & Colorado Springs Philharmonic 
Enjoy a night of delicious elegance and excitement before you ring in the new year. Start with dinner and drinks for two at TILL, and then head to the CS Philharmonic’s New Year Eve’s concert featuring Gershwin’s timeless masterpiece – Rhapsody in Blue. Toast to the past, revel in the present, and eagerly await the adventures of the new year.  
Burgundy & Bordeaux, Chardonay & Chicken
Value: $500 | Donors: Whattaburger, Raising Cane's & the Schiff Family
Here’s a deliciously unique pairing! Indulge in a mouthwatering gift basket with favorites from Whataburger and Raising Cane’s, complemented by two hand-selected bottles of wine: a luxurious Bordeaux and a crisp Chardonnay. Perfect for a night of great food and fine wine!

Frequently asked questions

The Gingerbread & Jazz Gala promises to be an elegant evening where class meets charm. While cocktail attire is encouraged, guests are welcome to embrace the spirit of the venue with formal western. The Saddle Ballroom will be beautifully decorated to create a sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for a night of fine dining and jazz.

The Gingerbread & Jazz Gala at the Flying W Ranch will be a cozy and warm event, perfect for a November evening. Hosted indoors in the elegant Saddle Ballroom, guests can expect a comfortable atmosphere, regardless of the chilly weather outside. The main ballroom is well-heated, with additional ancillary spaces featuring heated floors, ensuring warmth throughout the venue. The Flying W Ranch is well-equipped to handle the November elements, providing a welcoming and pleasant environment for all attendees to enjoy the evening to the fullest.

Free parking is provided, and although valet service isn’t available, staff will be on hand to direct you to a parking spot.

The Colorado Child Care Contribution Tax Credit (CCTC) is a state tax incentive designed to encourage donations to promote child care in Colorado. Individuals, businesses, and organizations that donate to qualifying child care programs or organizations in the state can receive a tax credit worth 50% of the total contribution amount. Donors can claim a tax credit equal to 50% of their total contribution. For example, a $1,000 donation could yield a $500 tax credit on the donor’s Colorado state income tax return. 

Our annual Gala fundraiser is a cornerstone event for our non-profit, serving as a crucial source of funding that sustains our programs throughout the year. The financial contributions raised during this event have the power to profoundly shape the futures of the children we serve. Your generous donations provide the essential resources, materials, and opportunities that our children need to thrive. Whether it’s funding educational tools or creating enriching experiences, your support acts as a catalyst for positive change, ensuring that every dollar you give goes directly toward nurturing young minds and fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Questions or Concerns? Please call 719-381-4803 or email nschiff@earlyconnections.org

High-quality education

Early Connections provides comprehensive early education to children aged 6 weeks to 14 years, focusing on literacy, cognitive development, and social-emotional skills. This early foundation is vital for long-term academic success.

Availability

There is a shortage of spots in high-quality early education programs, especially for younger children. Our capital campaign aims to address this by expanding our capacity.

Affordability

The cost of child care poses a significant challenge for many families, particularly those with lower incomes who struggle to afford even essential care. Our sliding scale fee structure aims to make child care more affordable and accessible for these families.

Quality education

Our nationally accredited programs include a literacy-focused curriculum, family support activities, nutritious meals and snacks, physical and behavioral health support, and highly qualified professional staff.

A Special Thanks to our generous sponsors

Together, we are helping raise future leaders by investing in children today

Platinum

monarch logo

Gold

Common Spirit
Levendi

Silver

The Feffer Family

Bronze

Student Enterprise D38
OS Schools

Benefiting the Children of Early Connections Learning Centers

All funds raised from the Gingerbread and Jazz Gala go directly to Early Connections Learning Centers, supporting our vital early education programs

Donation Only

Can’t make it to the party but still want to support our important cause? Make a donation and know that 100% goes to providing children the critical care and early education they need to thrive and become our city’s future leaders.