For the third year in a row, Essence Kitchen + Bar in Chino Valley coordinated a Veteran's Angel Tree, and the generous patrons of their award-winning winning restaurant did not disappoint. On Monday, Dec. 16, dozens of veterans and their families were treated to a lunch hosted by the owners of Essence Kitchen + Bar, Julia Ammons and Jason Krupp, while dozens more received much needed gifts from the community. The gifts went around the building and Thomas Johnson, U.S. Army vet 1(963-1966) is all smiles as he is seen with employee Aubrey Chapman and the Grinch. Leslie Ann Ramsey-Barnett, U.S. Army 1979-1982, was quite overwhelmed in her photo with the Essence team and the Grinch. Our local vets, and the Essence team thanks Joe's Furniture for the incredible donation of a carpet and coffee table, and to the Pappas Foundation for the amazing donation of books for the children of our vets. To find out more about the monthly veterans lunches sponsored by Essence Kitchen + Bar, call them at (928)925-3888.