Winery brings holiday cheer to veterans home

The Illinois Veterans Home in Anna received some extra holiday cheer through the efforts of the Lincoln Heritage Winery, which is located between Anna and Cobden.

The winery held a benefit for the veterans. Visitors were encouraged by the winery to bring gifts for the veterans or to contribute money to the veterans activity fund.

“We were so impressed to see the community bring such a nice variety of gifts for the veterans,” winery co-owner Bonnie Cissell said in a news release.

“People brought treats, lotions, lap warmers, and all kinds of things. We will start earlier next year and make it bigger and better.

"We had some people who also contributed generously with a cash donation and that will be really helpful for the veterans activity fund. ”

“Some of our customers came out over the past weekend and helped us put bows and things on the gifts to make it look more festive,” winery co-owner and winemaker Homer Cissell said on Dec. 21.

“The veterans home said not to wrap the gifts, but we thought putting bows on the gifts made it look more festive. We were reminded that there are women veterans at the home, so it was nice to see some fragrances and things geared a bit more for the women too.”

For more information about the benefit and plans for next year, visit www.lincolnheritagewinery.com or call the winery at 833-3783.