On Aug. 11, about 200 people gathered at The Elms Hotel and Spa to receive some pampering – and to help Excelsior Springs School District students. The occasion was Spa After Dark, an after-hours donation event. Those who donated a backpack full of school supplies received access to several treatments, including foot massages, LED face treatments, paraffin wax dips, HydraFacial booster for the lips or the eyes and yoga therapy. Officially, the festivities started before dark with yoga at 6 p.m., followed by treatments at 7. Those who wanted treatments had to act fast: The line into the spa started by 5:30 and all treatment appointments filled up in 20 minutes. Even though the treatments had filled up, people still made donations. For their contributions, they were given access to The Grotto, a steam-filled room featuring two saunas, a shower, a steam shower and a bubbling hot tub. Before taking a dip in the tub, guests were encouraged to s...