GRAND RAPIDS, MI – While Santa Claus is always listening to what children want for the holiday season, this weekend he focused on a very special group of kids.
The Sign Language Santa event, hosted by Grand Rapids Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, was held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the SOMI Unified Sports and Inclusion Center, 160 68th St. SW. The event featured a deaf Santa, fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), who spoke with deaf or hard of hearing children to learn their Christmas wish lists.
Sign Language Santa is an annual event that has taken place over 10 years in Grand Rapids. The event was modified during COVID-19 to be drive-thru only, but now returned to an in-person event.
“It’s really for the children,” Rowan O’Dougherty, board president for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, said about the event. “It’s a perfect opportunity for them to come and interact with Santa and ask them what they want for Christmas.”
Related: Sign Language Santa to welcome deaf, hard of hearing children in Grand Rapids
There were many parents that appreciate having a Santa who speaks sign language, such as Kelly Merrifield, who went with her two children Mia and Cassian. Along with having CHARGE syndrome, Mia was born deaf and uses sign language to speak.
“This is a super special event because Mia doesn’t get immersed with a lot of kids,” Merrifield said. “There are not many kids who sign, so it’s nice for her to be engaged with people who talk her first language.”
After the children interacted and took a picture with Santa, they each received a special gift, ranging from infant toys to presents for teens. The event was free to attend, but families had to pre-register so that there were enough presents for everyone.
“I think when we started, we had about 18 children who came,” O’Dougherty said. “Now we have up to 88 children and maybe more will be coming,”
Besides talking to Santa, there were craft tables tables to children to draw and create their own Christmas decorations. There were also a few game stalls for people to play, with a chance to win a little …….