By Katie Doolittle
On December 5, Chambers Prairie Elementary School will host a Santa event much like any other. There will be entertainment (think Christmas carols) and holiday snacks (the usual selection of cookies, cider, and such). The central focus, of course, will be Kris Kringle himself: the line of children waiting to meet him, the lucky kiddo enjoying his or her turn, and the nearby parents with cameras at the ready.
There is, however, one crucial difference at this particular event: this Santa is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL). And, like many of the children who come to see him, he is deaf.
That’s the reason you’ll see a bigger Santa chair at the event—it’s hard to sign while holding someone in your lap! Several talented helpers from Signing Santa made the chair so that Santa and the child sitting next to him can face one another and communicate effectively. It’s just one of the many special touches that this 100% volunteer-run nonprofit brings to their annual event.
Signing Santa’s purpose is to provide a positive Santa experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, as well as CODAs (children of deaf adults). Family, friends, and the community at large also join in to make this a special event for all who participate.
“Deaf children can’t go see Santa at the mall unless they have a parent along to translate. Here, they can talk directly to Santa. It makes for a more personal experience. It’s much more memorable,” explains Jim Hancock, a member of the Board of Trustees.
The Signing Santa event has a long history in our community. Begun in 1991, it ran for thirteen consecutive years before a committee’s disbandment led to its temporary hiatus. This prompted Hancock, plus three other interested members from the deaf community, to form the current volunteer nonprofit. Together, they resurrected the program in 2008. And ever since, Hancock’s been helping to run the event.
Other groups get in on the action, too. Pierce County Toys for Tots provides a toy for every child who visits Santa. Lacey Parks and Recreation has been instrumental in securing event venues and helping to get the word out.
As recreation supervisor for Lacey Parks and Recreations, Jeannette Sieler is in charge of all her department’s special events. The job keeps her busy year-round. However, she has a special place in her heart for the Signing Santa event.“I enjoy reaching a part of the community that Lacey Parks and Recreation doesn’t always get to serve,” she says.
It’s worth noting that the community being referenced here is quite widespread. Attendees come from as far as King County, and the organizers have come to expect between 200 and 300 people each year.
The event is free and open to anyone who wishes to attend. There are even volunteer interpreters on hand to help non-ASL speakers converse with Santa. Hancock says, “Over the past few years it has really grown into a community event. In addition to the families coming to see Santa, there are also the families coming to watch their high school student perform.”
High school students performing? That’s right. Cathy Miller is the ASL teacher for North Thurston Public Schools, with programs at both River Ridge and North Thurston high schools. Her students sign Christmas carols as part of the entertainment, then stick around to help out. Hancock appreciates the high schoolers’ willingness to pitch in, citing their enthusiastic participation in event set-up and tear-down. Sieler sees the benefit for the teenagers, as well. “The high school students get a chance to practically apply their learning. For some, this may be the first time they’re using sign language to communicate with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person.”
Sieler and Hancock agree that the best part of the event is seeing kids talk to Santa in their own language. Hancock is rightly pleased by the impact his efforts have on the deaf and hearing-impaired community. He perfectly sums up the spirit of giving that motivates so many volunteers to put on this event: “To see the smiles and excitement on the children’s faces as they meet with Signing Santa tells it all.”
The Signing Santa event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Chambers Prairie Elementary School. For more information, contact Lacey Parks and Recreation at 360-491-0857.
Unless otherwise noted, all photos courtesy of Signing Santa.
