Noel Night on Dec. 2, one of the largest shopping days in Durango, will also be an opportunity to give back to families in need.

As shoppers peruse about 100 independent shops offering drawings, deals or musical entertainment, they can also buy T-shirts with a “localist” logo to promote local businesses, said Kate Hallock, community coordinator for Local First.

For the first time, proceeds from the T-shirts will be donated to the Community Emergency Assistance Coalition, a group that supports families at risk of homelessness.

“We wanted to add this charitable component and tie it to our book theme,” Hallock said.

This year, Local First’s “Be Local Coupon Book” theme is focused on affordable housing.

Families can apply for up to $1,000 to cover a one-time expense, such as rent or an emergency car repair, said Elizabeth Salkind, executive director of Housing Solutions of the Southwest, which runs the program.

The partnership between Local First and the coalition will help donations reach community members who work in La Plata County.

“Everyone that’s applying for this program are local residents, almost all of whom are local employees,” Salkind said.

In addition to financial help, applicants receive financial counseling and, if a one-time gift isn’t enough, they are connected with other resources, Salkind said.

Spreading the shop-local message with a localist T-shirt can also help circulate more money into the local economy.

Buying from independent businesses creates more jobs and opportunities than buying online can, Hallock said.

For example, for every $100 spent at an independent small business, $73 is returned to the local economy, she said. Conversely, only $43 is returned to the local economy for every $100 spent at a large chain.

For those who plan to come downtown on Noel Night, Santa Claus will be at the Main Mall where orchestras will be providing live entertainment.

Orchestras from Escalante Middle School, Durango High School and the Bayfield middle and high schools will be performing in the Main Mall, said Karl Herr, a board member with Be For the Recreational and Artistic Needs of Kids Foundation.

The Be Local coupon book will also be available from small businesses on Noel Night. The book offers 270 coupons from locally owned, independent businesses, including 30 new businesses.

It will also have information focused on redevelopment and smart community design to encourage more affordable housing, Hallock said.

A full guide to Noel Night entertainment will be published Nov. 27 as an insert in The Durango Herald.

mshinn@durangoherald.com

If you go

Santa Claus will be available for photos from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Main Mall, 835 Main Ave.

From 6 to 7:45 p.m., student orchestras will perform at the Main Mall.