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Signing Santa back in Grand Rapids for 10th Year

Posted at 3:02 AM, Dec 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-05 03:03:10-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) of Grand Rapids is inviting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to come and visit its signing St. Nick in Grand Rapids Saturday, December 7.

“To see a child who is Deaf have that experience with a Deaf Santa who literally speaks their language takes my breath away every time,” said Deb Atwood, D&HHS executive director. “It never gets old. Every time I see it, I see it through the eyes of the child, and it is amazing every single time.”

The tradition will take place this year on Saturday, December 7 from 11 am to 1 pm at Crossroads Middle School, 4400 Ambrose NE in Grand Rapids.

In addition to signing Santa, the event also will feature two signed story times at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, and it will include holiday crafts, snacks and drinks.

There also will be numerous interpreters at the event so that everyone has access. Interpreters at the entrance, interpreters at the crafts, interpreters for Santa and interpreters for the story. Every station will have ASL to English and English to ASL interpreters.

And gifts will be available to the first 50 children.