By Ciaran Lambert/tr news editor
TR Campus’ Sign Language Interpreting program will present Signing Santa: Get Fit with Santa Dec. 3.
The event is designed to let deaf children meet with a deaf Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes while also learning about nutrition and the importance of exercise and wellness.
Participants will warm up, stretch and then get to skate.
Allison Randolph, TR sign language interpreting instructor, said the event is a service-learning project for her interpreting students and has been planned for weeks.
“We love giving back to the community here at Trinity,” she said.
Randolph said the department has invited all of the regional day schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and expects a turnout of 150-175 students.
Randolph said deaf children and students can communicate with a Santa as well as have a chance to meet other deaf students in the DFW area. It also gives sign language students a means of interacting with the deaf community’s culture and language.
“This whole thing is a blessing,” she said.
The event is coordinated with the physical education department in its attempt to teach children the importance of taking care of themselves and staying active.
Randolph said the department has been involved with the event for years, and this is her ninth year.
Since 2008, the event themes have included “Christmas Around the World,” “Hawaiian Signing Santa” and now “Get Fit with Santa,” she said.
“It is a unique cultural experience,” Randolph said. “You’ll never get another [event] like it. Exposure to different cultures and languages is important and fun.”
The event will be 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Holiday Skatum, 2920 Carson St. in Haltom City, and lunch will be provided. It is free to children in deaf education, their teachers and interpreters. All other attendees will be charged $5.
For more information, contact Randolph at allison.randolph@tccd.edu.
