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SAN DIEGO -
A home in Tierrasanta is shining brightly. It's glitzed out for the holidays and giving the Griswold's a run for their money.
This is the fourth year Randy Schimka and his family have decorated their home, top to bottom, in lights. Every year the display gets bigger and better and draws an even bigger crowd. This year features 65,000 Christmas lights that are synchronized with holiday music playing on 89.7 FM.
"We added about 7,000 more lights from last year," explained Schimka from outside his dazzling house.
Randy and his wife Ann have two autistic sons named Brandon and Stephen. A few years ago, they noticed Brandon take particular interest in the neighborhood holiday lights.
"He really loved it," said Schimka.
Schimka got the idea to decorate their home in lights and to work on the project with his son. Immediately, he noticed a change in Brandon; he seemed to just light up.
"He started getting more communicative and wanting to be with me and wanting to go out in the garage and build things and excited about Christmas coming up," said Schimka.
This is particularly special in that Brandon isn't home for the holidays this year. He is in a treatment facility in Utah for his anger. Schimka said even though his son is not home, he is still a part of the display.
"We visit him every six weeks, and I've taken elements of the display over there for us to work on," he said. "He's actually been over in Utah recording things for us."
Brandon's voice can be heard offering holiday greetings in between the songs. His younger brother Stephen isn't able to speak. The lights offer a bit of holiday magic for the hundreds who visit the display every evening.
The Belardo light display is located at 5306 Belardo Drive in Tierrasanta. The display goes every evening until December 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
You can get more information on the Belardo Lights Web site.
This is the fourth year Randy Schimka and his family have decorated their home, top to bottom, in lights. Every year the display gets bigger and better and draws an even bigger crowd. This year features 65,000 Christmas lights that are synchronized with holiday music playing on 89.7 FM.
"We added about 7,000 more lights from last year," explained Schimka from outside his dazzling house.
Randy and his wife Ann have two autistic sons named Brandon and Stephen. A few years ago, they noticed Brandon take particular interest in the neighborhood holiday lights.
"He really loved it," said Schimka.
Schimka got the idea to decorate their home in lights and to work on the project with his son. Immediately, he noticed a change in Brandon; he seemed to just light up.
"He started getting more communicative and wanting to be with me and wanting to go out in the garage and build things and excited about Christmas coming up," said Schimka.
This is particularly special in that Brandon isn't home for the holidays this year. He is in a treatment facility in Utah for his anger. Schimka said even though his son is not home, he is still a part of the display.
"We visit him every six weeks, and I've taken elements of the display over there for us to work on," he said. "He's actually been over in Utah recording things for us."
Brandon's voice can be heard offering holiday greetings in between the songs. His younger brother Stephen isn't able to speak. The lights offer a bit of holiday magic for the hundreds who visit the display every evening.
The Belardo light display is located at 5306 Belardo Drive in Tierrasanta. The display goes every evening until December 27th from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
You can get more information on the Belardo Lights Web site.
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