By Holly Fertsch
On Nov. 30, the Margate Shop Small Saturday parade headed down the streets. From the Shore Local van I saw a Lucy the Elephant float, Darth Vader, Miss Jersey, a unicorn prancing down the parade route and dancers who braved the cold.
In the age of chain stores holding Black Friday sales and corporate giants promoting Cyber Monday, it was great to see local businesses being celebrated. Aside from showcasing small businesses, the parade was also designed to be an inclusive, family-friendly event to usher in the holiday season here at the Jersey Shore. In fact, Santa himself was in the parade, waving and signing to the crowd.
In Instagram posts and local newspapers like yours truly, this particular Saint Nick has been referred to as “ASL Santa” because he can communicate in American Sign Language (ASL). This isn’t just a gimmick; ASL Santa does more than sign basic phrases like “I love you” or “Merry Christmas.” ASL Santa, and all of his helpers have a goal of making the holiday season more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
While ASL Santa is hearing and can communicate with his voice as well, he makes a point to seek out the Deaf children as well. (When referring to cultural upbringing and identity instead of medical hearing loss, “Deaf” often is capitalized). At the post-parade meet and greet they can have the experience of telling Santa what they want for Christmas. Most of the kids that approach ASL Santa are hearing, but he tries to spend extra time with Deaf ones because it may be their only chance to attend a Christmas event where that’s accessible for them.
“The Deaf kids that came up were super polite and they were like, ‘Oh, there’s kids behind me, I’m gonna go.’ I barely got to speak to them. And they left,” ASL Santa said. “I was looking for them just because if they ever see Santa Claus, or anyone Christmassy, most (of those people) probably can’t communicate with them.”
Jorge Irwin, the man behind the white beard, explained that he grew up using ASL because he has a Deaf relative. His grandmother taught ASL to him and all his cousins. He also has an associate’s degree in American Sign Language. When he’s not donning his red suit and cap, he works in the public works sector.
Bocca Coal Fired Bistro hosted ASL Santa after the parade. A line of eager kids quickly formed to tell ASL Santa what they wanted for Christmas. ASL Santa spoke to each hearing child and signed with each of the Deaf children. Every child was able to talk to him without language barriers. It was a welcoming holiday event for Deaf and hearing families.
Bocca’s also gave away a slice of pizza and beverage to each child who came into the restaurant after the parade.
Lou Freedman of Bocca’s Coal Fired Bistro said hosting ASL Santa each year has opened his eyes to Deaf culture. He said when Deaf customers come in, they always request a round table so they can easily see each other signing. Freedman said he is always happy to seat Deaf customers there when he can.
ASL Santa was the brainchild of Danyl Loyle, who works in the fire department. Loyle’s daughter attended a bilingual preschool in Upper Township, where she was taught in ASL and English simultaneously. Many of her daughter’s classmates had hearing loss.
Loyle said she became involved in ASL after her daughter became best friends with a classmate who is Deaf.
“And then me and the parents became friendly, did a lot together, spent a lot of time together,” she said. “It compelled me to start taking classes.”
She wanted to encourage her young daughter to learn more. “So I went to Camden County College. I took sign for four years. I took ASL 1 through 4 and fingerspelling,” Loyle said.
ASL classes often require students to immerse themselves in the Deaf culture whenever possible. Deaf culture refers to language, norms and traditions instead of being deaf, the medical hearing loss. Loyle had to attend Deaf events and chat with Deaf people in ASL for course assignments.
“So I would go to the Deaf chats and I would meet people… I found out there was a guy who did Santa Claus every year who was an interpreter. And he would dress up as Santa Claus and he would go to the malls at certain times, but it was not down here. It was like Cherry Hill, King of Prussia…”
Loyle decided to make it happen here. She contacted Freedman, who agreed to host ASL Santa each year. Then Loyle searched for someone fluent in ASL who would be willing to dress up as Santa. The first person she contacted was a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), but he was unable to make it. Irwin then stepped up to the plate and he has been their Santa ever since.
Anna Maria Blescia-Courter, executive director of Margate Business Association (MBA), then reached out to Loyle and offered their support. “They have helped me grow it to what it is now. And they get nothing out of it… So I give them a lot of credit,” Loyle said.
Blescia-Courter said MBA has spent hours promoting the event on social media and reaching out to their networks.
Ed Berger, president of MBA, explained why the association is willing to put so much effort into the holiday festivity. “It’s all about the kids, you know? For us, it’s all about the families. And it’s a great time of year for us to partner with one of our most important partners, Bocca, to try and bring this great family event together.”
This past Saturday marked the 10th year of ASL Santa coming to Bocca.
If you missed out on the meet and greet with ASL Santa, don’t worry. ASL Santa will be back next year to make Margate merry, bright and inclusive.