Salvation Army’s Durango Service Extension Unit will begin their yearly fund-raising campaign after Thanksgiving and continue until Christmas Eve. All the money the community donates to the kettles is utilized in La Plata County. Bell ringers are vital to the efforts of the local volunteer committee to provide maximum aid to the needy in Ignacio, Bayfield and Durango. In 2014, the Salvation Army received more than $110,000 in donations locally and had 600 volunteer ringers. In Bayfield, the kettle will be at the Grocery Store starting Monday Nov. 30 and ending on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. Shifts are 11:30 to 1:30, 1:30 to 3:30, and 3:30 to 5:30. Proceeds are used to help those in need in the area. To sign up please call Carol Blatnick at 884-2884 or 903-5901.

To volunteer at a Durango location, please contact Kathy Deaderick at 247-7764 or [email protected] if you would like to volunteer.

BEEP holding Breakfast with Santa

Bayfield Early Education Program will host its 11th annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Bayfield Elementary School on Mustang Drive. Breakfast includes pancakes with eggs, ham and sausage. Gluten free cereal is also available. Children can have their pictures taken with Santa and make a picture frame in the kids craft corner. A large silent auction is a favorite with adults.

Festivities begin with the first eating time at 8 a.m. Second eating time is at 9:30 a.m. Tickets for adults are $10, kids are $5.

For more information, call 884-7137. Breakfast with Santa is sponsored by FCI Constructors, La Plata Electric, Marvin and Nancy Voss, A to Z Electric, Carolyn Shryock, ST Seeding, Tabor-Rice Funeral Home, and La Plata Concrete.

Cemetery district holding meeting

The Ignacio, Allison, Oxford Cemetery District will its annual meeting to discuss the budget and upcoming projects for next year. It will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 21 at the Style Shoppe at 380 Goddard Ave. in Ignacio. The public is invited. For information, call 563-9201.

Bells for BEEP are on sale

The Bayfield Early Education Program’s popular “Bells for BEEP” fundraiser is back with six gift cards to give totaling $1,700. The drawing will be held at BEEP’s Holiday Program on Dec. 17. Winners do not need to be present to win. Bells are $5 each. With the purchase of a bell, donors are entered into a drawing for a gift card. Values range from $100 to $500. Sponsors of Bells for BEEP are HDS Freight, Skywerx, Western View Windows, Bayfield Builders, LePlatts Pond Weddings & Events, Bayfield Realty, Finley Finishes Painting, Sun Cleaning, Four Corners Materials, J&T Services, and the BEEP board of directors. For more information, call 884-7137.

Saturday help available to sign up for health insurance

San Juan Basin Health Department will offer extended hours for people needing to renew or begin their health insurance coverage through Connect for Health Colorado. Assistance will be available on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12 for people not able to meet during regular business hours. To schedule an appointment, please call (970) 335-2021.

In addition, San Juan Basin Health is co-sponsoring a walk-in enrollment and information event at La Plata County Fairgrounds from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. Assistance and information will be available from employees of San Juan Basin Health, the La Plata Family Centers Coalition and local insurance brokers. On that date anyone wishing to enroll or get more information about Connect for Health Colorado or Medicaid can stop by without an appointment.

San Juan Basin Health is a local public health agency, governed by a seven-member local Board of Health, serving all residents of La Plata and Archuleta counties.

SWCI holding thankful potluck

The Southwest Center for Independence, a local nonprofit that helps people with disabilities live well in our community, is having a thanks potluck for consumers and community members! All are welcome to bring a favorite dish to share and join the group for food, friends, and fun from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. For more info, call Kerrie at 259-1672.