The Rio Verde Fire District and VerdeCares invites residents to join the holiday spirit for fun, prizes and buttermilk pancakes at the annual pancake breakfast, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7.

Breakfast is free with donations accepted to benefit VerdeCares, Inc., a volunteer driven 501(C)3 nonprofit based in the Verdes. VerdeCares provides no charge services to the lower Verde valley residents.

The Rio Verde Fire District and Sanderson Ford have partnered to launch the pancake breakfast benefit as an official location of “Operation Santa Claus.”  Bring a new toy, new children’s clothing or packaged non-perishable food item and be entered into Sanderson’s drawing, held later, for a new vehicle.

Santa will arrive and hand out gifts to everyone, and young visitors will get the chance to sit in the fire truck for pictures.

There are lots of drawings for give-away gifts including certificates for dining, golf and other surprises.  The location is Rio Verde Fire Station, 25608 N. Forest Road. Follow the signs for parking in the Community Church of the Verdes parking lot.  Shuttle service will be available to the fire station.

“We appreciate our firefighters support. VerdeCares volunteers are an awesome asset to our neighbors,” VerdeCares founder Vicki Beseke said, “Whether we are providing transportation, meals, help with grocery shopping, family respite and more, our goal is to be here for our neighbors when they need us.

“Keeping pace with the rapid changes in the healthcare industry, our care management services provide support from hospital admission to home self-sufficiency.”

Beseke will attend the pancake breakfast on Saturday and be available to answer questions and provide information on helpful resources.