The 9th Annual Shining Light on Abilities display is illuminating Hillside, inviting the community to visit and view the holiday decorations and more than 50,000 lights every night after sunset throughout December.

The free, family-friendly event is on the Hillside property, 1235 Veronica Springs Road, Santa Barbara.

An Open House kickoff for Shining Light on Abilities was held Dec. 6 with help from the Community Friends of Santa Barbara Carolers and Santa Claus.

Hillside residents, their families and loved ones, and everyone attending enjoyed hot cocoa, cookies and traditional holiday songs until it was time for the annual flipping of the switch to turn on the light display.

Snow, thanks to the Hillside facilities team, fell just after Santa Claus led the countdown to “Lights on!”

“I am grateful to the Hillside facilities team and volunteers, including the Boy Scouts Troop #37 and Cox Communications, to create such a beautiful and colorful presentation for everyone to enjoy – residents, their families and loved ones, staff, neighbors, sponsors, donors, volunteers, the Santa Barbara community, and all on the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights tours,” said Michael Rassler, Hillside president/CEO.

The holiday display includes a slideshow featuring some of the 59 individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hillside focuses on residents, highlighting their abilities and sharing who they are and what they can do.

The slideshow plays continuously on a large-screen monitor in the picture window of the main Hillside building.

“It also expresses our appreciation and gratitude to Hillside’s Shining Light’s sponsors, including: Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Foundation, Montecito Bank & Trust, Santa Barbara Foundation, Stantec, Demboski & Chapman Financial and Insurance Solutions, and Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center,” Hillside said.

Sponsorship opportunities for Shining Light on Abilities are available with all proceeds directly fund therapies, programs and services for Hillside residents.

For sponsorship information, call Cheryl Sweeney, chief development officer, 805-687-0788 ext. 123, email csweeney@hillsidesb.org, or visit hillsidesb.org.

Donations are welcome at https://hillsidesb.org/donate/.