Inside the Givens Estates woodshop, a hum of saws and sanders creates much more than wooden toys.

It’s also the sound of creating community connections, spreading joy, and demonstrating the power of residents using their time and talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children across Western North Carolina.

A dedicated group of a dozen or so woodworkers has launched a year-round initiative to create handcrafted wooden items for nonprofit organizations serving those in need. One of the group’s newest and most impactful partnerships is with Eblen Charities, an Asheville-based nonprofit organization that assists local families and individuals experiencing hardship.

Led by residents Ron Edwards, John Stock, Bill Leonard and Drew Schrader, the woodworking group recently celebrated a major milestone. On July 15, they delivered the first 500 handcrafted wooden toys to Eblen Charities, marking the group’s first large-scale toy donation project with the organization. By the end of the year, the woodworkers expect to complete and donate an additional 500, bringing the total to 1,000 handcrafted toys this year.

Founded in 1991 by John Eblen, Eblen Charities has grown into one of Western North Carolina’s leading nonprofits, supporting families and individuals facing hardship. The organization provides assistance with housing, utilities, clothing, medical needs, food programs, holiday support, and other essential services throughout the region.

The partnership began when Eblen Charities Executive Director Brian Hall connected with woodworker Ron Edwards. What started as a conversation quickly blossomed into a shared mission to bring comfort, creativity, and joy to children throughout the community.

“We wanted to develop a year-round initiative that would allow us to create wooden items for nonprofit organizations that could distribute them to people in need,” Edwards said.

The workshop has a long history of community involvement, including partnering with the Apple Country Woodworkers in Hendersonville to create toys for Christmas programs. Their collaboration with Eblen Charities, however, has expanded the group’s reach, helping provide toys that can be distributed throughout the year at back-to-school events, holiday celebrations, and other programs serving local families.

The toys themselves reflect the creativity and craftsmanship of the volunteers. Each year, the group creates several toy patterns, including cars, trucks, boats, and their imaginative designs. Every toy is made by hand, sanded smooth, and crafted with care.

For Edwards and fellow woodworker Drew Schrader, woodworking is a lifelong passion. Edwards spent 40 years working for Parton Lumber Company and is often able to obtain donated lumber scraps that become the raw materials for many of the toys. He and Schrader regularly travel to Rutherfordton to pick up wood and transport it back to Givens Estates, where it is transformed into toys designed for local children.

Producing 500 toys is no small task. The process takes approximately four to five months of teamwork, planning, and craftsmanship. The volunteers gather in the workshop Tuesdays and Thursdays, spending a couple of hours in a production-line format. Many also dedicate additional time outside scheduled shop hours to keep projects moving forward.

Beyond the toy initiative, members of the woodworking shop stay busy creating personal projects that include furniture, household items, display stands, plaques, coasters, gifts, and furniture repairs. Yet despite the many projects they enjoy, giving back remains one of the group’s most rewarding endeavors.

When asked what he enjoys most about being part of the woodworking club, Schrader responded, “You’re only restricted by your imagination.”

The workshop provides more than an outlet for creativity. It also offers fellowship, friendship, and a shared sense of purpose. For these residents, the project is a meaningful example of volunteering their time and talents to benefit others.

“It brings a really big smile to our faces knowing these children are receiving something we created with our own hands,” the woodworkers shared.

This initiative is a powerful example of philanthropy in action at Givens Communities. Through their talent, generosity, and commitment to service, these residents are strengthening the community around them while creating lasting memories for local families. Their efforts illustrate how residents can use their passions and skills to make a meaningful impact beyond the walls of their own neighborhood.

As the woodworkers continue toward their goal of producing another 500 toys before the holidays, they hope their efforts will inspire fellow residents to explore ways they can give back, whether through volunteering, sharing a talent, joining a resident-led club, or supporting a cause they care about. After all, creating community and empowering lives is at the heart of what it means to be a Givens resident.

Inspired to help the woodworkers and other worthwhile projects? Contributions accepted at https://givensphilanthropy.org/giving/