STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It was a day of smiles and fun as friends and families of participants gathered for the GRACE Foundation’s tree lighting event on Saturday.

The foundation’s headquarters at 460 Brielle Ave. in Sea View was transformed into a place where children and adults could enjoy sweet treats, hot chocolate, photos with Santa Claus, caroling, and more.

Food was readily available from the foundation’s food truck, staffed by foundation members, which has become a familiar sight at Staten Island events.

The foundation has been serving children, teens, young adults and families impacted by autism spectrum disorder for more than 25 years.

Board member Diane Peruggia, one of the founding members, said, “Our campus at the GRACE Foundation is lit up like a winter wonderland. It doesn’t look like it’s a facility. It is beautiful, and it’s very inviting.”

Peruggia added, “Our kids helped set everything up. They love it and are so excited. GRACE really does go above and beyond and thinks out of the box on the things that we do.”

The crowd cheered when Santa arrived in an FDNY mini ambulance and made his way to the Christmas tree.

With everyone gathered around the tree, the participants sang traditional carols including “Let it Snow” and “Winter Wonderland” with a special twist.

Kerry Ryan, who teaches sign language at the GRACE Foundation, taught them how to sign the words as they sang.

“They really took to sign language really well, and they really, really love it. I break it down and make it fun, and they pick it up quickly,” said Ryan.

Councilmember David Carr led the crowd in counting down from 10 to light the tree. He said, “The GRACE foundation does phenomenal work with the IDD [intellectual and developmental disabilities] community, not just those that need their support as individuals, but their families, too. I’m always going to have their backs.”

The foundation’s executive director, Cathy Del Priore, shared that the foundation has ambitious plans for the future, including opening a café and expanding its facilities to further its mission of inclusion and awareness.

“It’s essential because we’re supposed to empower all those with autism… so you put them out there, and you just let them shine, which is really important,” Del Priore explained.