Santa Connects with Kids in Aurora Using American Sign Language. Santa Claus and a group of enthusiastic children brought warmth to the interior of Aurora’s St. Marks Lutheran Church on a chilly December evening.
For over a dozen families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing, Santa and Mrs. Claus both made an appearance. They were shocked to see that Santa understood their language and was able to understand each child’s holiday wish using American Sign Language.
Kim Cancio, who brought her 5-year-old daughter Kimberly, said, “It’s nice because we could take her to see a mall Santa and she’d have to talk through an interpreter, but here she can talk directly to him which is fantastic.” She has a fantastic opportunity to meet other children who share her interests. We have a fantastic opportunity to interact with other families who also have children who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Kimberly informed Santa she wanted a blue toy horse, sweets, and makeup.
The Aurora Lions Club has been hosting the event for local families for the last 16 years.
Along with Randy Brown, Susan Koepke, co-president of the Aurora Lions Club, stated, “It’s good for them to be together and know there are other people like them.”
“It fills my heart,” said Carrie Snyder, an itinerant from East Aurora and member of the Lions Club. “It’s one village inside another… With the help of sign interpreters or hearing aids, students who frequently have hearing loss—who may be the only ones in their school—can interact with other sign language learners.
