Heisinger Bluffs and St. Joseph's Bluffs hosted its 26th annual Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday to raise money for the senior homes and their residents.
This year's tour featured five homes, including the Lincoln University's president's mansion and Grace Lutheran Church in Holts Summit.
Scott and Tina Sellner, 1905 N. Circle, were one of the couples who opened their homes for the tour. The two-story home was built in the 1930s, and the Sellners expanded the home four years ago to add an expanded kitchen area. They tried to keep the integrity of the house by keeping the original windows and incorporating them in the expanded area.
The restoration won the couple the Golden Hammer Award from the Historic City of Jefferson. They've also won the Mayor's Award in the annual Christmas Home Decorating Contest.
At the Sellner's house, a fire was lit in the living room fireplace, and the cozy home had hardwood floors and Christmas decorations throughout.
Carolyn Lineberry was one of those who went through the home Sunday. She said she makes it a point to go on the tour each year, in part to get decorating ideas.
"We just enjoy it tremendously, and appreciate that people open up their homes to share their treasures with us," she said.
Carole Bean, the organizer of this year's event, said it's always a great event to get people into the Christmas spirit.
The self-guided tour took place from 1-4 p.m. The tradition began not only to provide a Christmas tradition for the community but also to help residents at the independent and assisted living facilities.
One specific way the money helps is to subsidize the cost of living at Heisinger or St. Joseph Bluffs for residents who have run out of funds.
"That was their home," Bean said. "We try to help them to stay there."
It's one of three events throughout the year coordinated by the Heisinger and St. Joseph's Bluffs Auxiliary for the benevolent care fund for Heisinger and St. Joseph's Bluffs residents. The other events are a Christmas cookie sale and a dinner at the American Legion, Bean said.
After viewing the homes, people on the tour were invited to stop by Heisinger Bluffs for hors d'oeuvres and beverages.