Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Nov. 23, 2024) – Holiday spirit was on full display this Saturday at the Excelsior Springs Community Center as families gathered for the annual Elf Factory, a tradition that has brought joy to local families for more than a decade. Organized by the Excelsior Springs Christmas Committee, the Elf Factory allows children to create affordable handmade gifts for loved ones in a festive environment.
Val Linnenburger, coordinator of the Elf Factory, reflected on the event’s longstanding impact. “I think it’s been 15 years—though it might be 14—but it’s definitely in the teens,” Linnenburger said with a smile. Each year, the event draws hundreds of participants as part of the town’s Christmas kickoff weekend.
Behind the scenes, Linnenburger and a dedicated team of volunteers spend the entire year preparing for the event. Meeting every month or so, the team assembles craft kits to ensure they are easy for children to put together.
“We prepare the crafts to the point where the kids have things to put together. If it needs to be painted, it’s painted. If it needs to be glued, it’s glued,” Linnenburger explained. “We even have someone who crochets hats for some of the crafts.”
Each craft is carefully packaged into kits, and the team aims to keep prices affordable. Most crafts cost only $2, with a few larger or more intricate projects priced slightly higher. “Our goal is for the kids to come in and get as much as they can for as little as possible,” Linnenburger said.
This year’s Elf Factory saw a good turnout of community support, with adult volunteers and high school students contributing their time. Many teens helped as part of their A+ program, which requires community service hours.
“I had more adults and kids volunteering this year than ever before,” Linnenburger said. “It’s great to see the high school students enjoying themselves while giving back.”
As the Elf Factory and other Christmas Committee events grow in popularity, the need for volunteers is greater than ever. Linnenburger encouraged community members to get involved, especially men, to help with physically demanding tasks like setting up holiday lights. “We could always use more help,” Linnenberger said. “The Christmas Committee handles so much, and it gets bigger every year.”
The Elf Factory continues to embody the spirit of the season, offering children and families a chance to create lasting memories and thoughtful gifts. For those interested in contributing to next year’s event, Linnenburger recommends reaching out to the Excelsior Springs Christmas Committee.
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