Signing Santa stops by Brennen Elementary School

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) —  Santa’s stop by Brennen Elementary School is one that he’s made for over 20 years now.

Also known as Signing Santa, he communicates with deaf students through American Sign Language.

“It’s wonderful. The first thing, they look up, and I start signing and they say he can sign too! And they know they can come right to me and tell me what they want for Christmas and that they’ve been good children,” says Santa.

Along with his helpers, he reads stories to the kids, and of course, hands out presents.

“Sometimes children can feel insecure when they feel like they have to look at someone else to interpret for them, while Santa Claus is talking and they don’t understand what Santa is saying, or Santa may give them a little look that might make them feel bad about themselves. And we certainly don’t want that. We want them to feel that they can come straight to Santa Claus, receive a gift from Santa Claus and enjoy their Christmas like every other child does,” he says.

Lionel henry and his son appreciate the special time with santa.

“I think Signing Santa is great, and he’s been doing it for many many years, since I was a kid, so it’s really amazing, I’m really happy to see the Signing Santa again,” says Lionel Henry.

“I love Santa Claus, he’s great,” says Raion Henry.

The annual event is sponsored by the Richland Sertoma Club — an organization dedicated to helping deaf and hard of hearing children.

“We feel like we’re providing a really good resource for these children. Particularly those that go to our camp every summer. Because it really is a character building and brings a lot of these childr3en out of their isolation by interacting with other kids,” says President Steve Etheredge.

Santa finds that all of the children at Brennen Elementary have made his nice list this year, saying, “I just hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”