On December 6, Hillside hosted a lovely holiday event for its 59 adult residents living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and donors. This annual holiday open house was held in conjunction with its extraordinary month-long Shining Lights on Abilities display of holiday lights and decorations. With the presence of nurturing, dedicated staff, the event felt more like a big family — the Hillside community family — celebration.
Residents, most in wheelchairs, assembled in front of Hillside’s display of more than 50,000 holiday lights and decorations spread over its enormous front yard. Dozens of carolers from Santa Barbara Community Friends (formerly the Assistance League) strolled up the driveway, singing traditional Christmas carols, followed by a lively performance. Santa joined in the singing, snow came down, and smiles abounded. Then came the magical moment when Santa led the countdown to “Lights on” and the beautiful holiday display was illuminated.
The event was imbued with a feeling of warmth, caring, and community among staff and residents. A double moment of sweetness occurred when taking a photo of residents Laura and Michael, sitting side-by-side in wheelchairs: Laura glanced at Michael and softly said, “I love you.” Alongside them, a staff member’s face filled with pure joy upon witnessing this precious scene. This is the Hillside family. As President and CEO Michael Rassler stated in an interview, “Very simply, the love and support and kindness shown by, and to, each other that permeates Hillside is something incredibly unique, meaningful, and powerful.”…