For at least the last seven years, the local Firehouse Woodcarvers have set up a demonstration table around the corner from Santa and Mrs. Claus at the entrance of the HyVee store in Jefferson City.
A Christmas tree boasts more than 150 individually-carved wooden ornaments made by the 30-plus members. All of the proceeds from those who purchase these one-of-a-kind carvings have benefited local charities.
This year, the Central Missouri Honor Flight was named the beneficiary. With several of the members being veterans themselves, a couple even being a guest of the program, they hope to provide about $1,500 this year toward the effort, charter member Shelby Jones said.
Some members carve ornaments year-round for this community gift. And some have a following.
Jones said he was convinced several people come in each year for a new ornament, signed by their favorite carvers.
A mallard carver by choice, Jones said the group began meeting in the early 1980s at the Apache Flats fire station, hence the name. These days, the hobby group meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of a month in the Concord Baptist Church offices off Truman Boulevard.
Although the club is made up primarily of retirees, Jones emphasized their membership ranges in ages and includes both genders. The skill levels and artistic styles vary, too.
What the demonstrators at the grocery story have noticed over the years is "everybody seems to be a closet woodcarver," Jones said.
In addition to the tree with ornaments for sale, including Santa faces, boots, bears, angels, wreaths and other traditional shapes, they display finished two- and three-dimensional work while also carving on their own projects.
The work is eye-catching, and many people stroll slowly by pushing their shopping carts, if not stop all together to visit about the craft.
The club has even added a few members through the years as a result of the community service, the only of its kind for the group. Each member who works the demonstration table is quick to invite curious people to a meeting to try it out for themselves.
And the organization may offer a a beginners class some time this winter.
The Firehouse Woodcarvers set up 10 a.m.-2 p.m. each Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas.