RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Quota Club of Beckley’s 45th annual Signing Santa Christmas party was a joyous experience for deaf and hearing-impaired children, who had the opportunity to communicate with Saint Nick through sign language.
“They talk to their teachers (prepare their list), and Angela Moore arranges this for them through the school system. They look forward to it every year, as they hear about it from the other children,” Quota Club President Karen Reed said. “So this is a real coming together of all the hearing, speech-impaired children.”
While the school kids love to get together and celebrate Christmas, Signing Santa is a special kind of event.
“A lot of our kids participate. You’ll see some of our kids singing and signing. So it’s catered to our students,” said Raleigh County Schools Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher Moore.
Some Woodrow Wilson High School students from the sign language club came to the Signing Santa event as reindeer to brighten the kids’ day.
“It’s really nice to do this and just come out and support our club and our team,” Ninth-Grader Christina Jackson said.
Such a meaningful experience, not just for the kids.
“Santa and I get together every year and help provide some signing and entertainment,” said Moore. “It does a lot for my heart.”
Quota Club appreciates the time Raleigh County teachers put into the Christmas party, as it’s time away from the classroom.
“It’s very important for these children to feel a community, among the mainstream children,” Moore said. “They don’t see each other except this one time of year. So it’s very important for all of us.”
