Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  Nederland resident Liz Ford was one of the volunteers assisting people at the Nederland Food Pantry Saturday morning when she decided as long as she was at the community center, she might as well get a flu shot.

The Annual Emergency Family Assistance Association had set up their booths, along with many Boulder County agencies, to help people with Thanksgiving baskets, insurance benefits, advice, counseling, energy costs, and a shot in the arm. That is, Nederland Columbine Family Medical Center’s Dr. Mike Camarata administered free flu shots to anyone willing to roll up their sleeve.

Ford said, “I never got around to getting a shot and right now it was so easy and it didn’t hurt at all.”

Children were allowed to pick out amazingly unique stuffed animals. Lilyanne Hackett chose Polly the Parrot, a large, brilliant bird who could dance and talk.

The Human Resources Fair is an annual event that kicks off a season of helping those who face the holidays, or even the entire winter, in need of a helping hand. The volunteers made it easy for people to apply for food stamps, for help with their heating bill, for Medicaid, and other services.