News

Apple Country Woodcrafters have been busy elves

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 26, 2025

Apple Country Woodcrafters will gather at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Hendersonville Elks Club, 546 N. Justice St., to distribute more than 2,000 handcrafted wooden toys.

These toys will go to 13 local human service agencies during their annual Toy Giveaway/Holiday Party. The agencies pick up the gifts, tailored to the age and gender of their young clients, for delivery in time for the holidays.  Agencies receiving toys include The Salvation Army, Hendersonville Rescue Mission, Missions-Carolina Baptist Association, Calvary Food Pantry and The Storehouse, among others.

Elves disguised as woodcrafters have been busy all year making toys for Western North Carolina children. The 250 members of the club build the gifts by hand in their professionally equipped 3,700-square foot workshop off Sugarloaf Road. 

“This is the 40th year for our wooden toy distribution,” Club President Gary Mach says, “and we will start on next year’s toys just as soon as this Toy Party is over.”

Founded in 1985, Apple Country Woodcrafters is a local not-for-profit dedicated to education and the development of wood working skills.  Anyone can join and take advantage of the fully equipped and stocked woodshop and the advice and camaraderie of fellow woodworkers.  The club offers a monthly lecture in different aspects of woodworking and boasts a special focus group on woodcarving that meets on Thursdays.  For more information visit applecountrywoodcrafters.org.