For more than a decade, members of the Aurora Noon Lions Club have offered hearing-impaired children the chance to talk to Santa through sign language, using a Santa who is hearing-impaired himself.
But despite knowing months ago that COVID-19 would bring changes, members vowed to do their best to make some Christmas magic happen this year.
Luigi’s Pizza and Fun Center in Aurora was once again the destination on Saturday as hearing-impaired kids and their families enjoyed a drive-thru Christmas experience from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the restaurant’s parking lot.
Organizers said about 60 children from nearly 30 Aurora area families were expected to attend the event, which included a variety of giveaways as well as the chance to wave to Santa as cars made their way through the procession.
Ben Torres of Aurora was one of the first in line for the Christmas giveaway and said he “was glad there was still something to make the Christmas season special.”
“People have been sick from this virus and unable to get out, and I think everyone is doing the best they can,” Torres said from his vehicle. “Having a drive-thru is the best that can happen.”
Former Aurora Noon Lions Club president and current board member Dick Schindel, 72, of Aurora, donned the Santa outfit this year, replacing Lisle resident Dan Basalone, who is hearing-impaired and completed eight years serving as the club’s Santa.
“From the beginning when the whole COVID thing unfolded, we knew we wanted to do something this year regardless and decided a drive-thru would replace our normal party,” Schindel said. “We’ve made some changes in that normally there would be gifts for the little kids, but this year, we wanted to have things for the whole family. We know people appreciate this a lot, and you don’t want to break the chain.”
Aurora Noon Lions Club President Arvid Meyer of Aurora said gifts this year included $10 gift certificates to Luigi’s given on behalf of the club as well as a Christmas book written by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy.
A local Jewel-Osco, he said, gave a monetary donation that allowed the Lions Club to buy candy.
“The Lions Club also went out and bought toys and stuffed animals for the little kids and clothing for the high school kids so that everyone who attends gets something,” Meyer said.
Susan Koepke, of Aurora, who serves as the service chairwoman for the club, said the group “came up with a good solution” with the drive-thru event.
“The first reaction was that we can’t do anything but some of the solutions worked out better,” she said. “Sometimes these drive-thru events do wind up being easier.”
Professionals who work with local hearing-impaired students were likewise on hand including Naperville resident Jeanne McDonald, who works for East Aurora High School. She said “kids have really been missing a lot of things including being together because of COVID” and have always “loved coming to Luigi’s.”
“Our kids have been so isolated and it’s important they get together and see one another regardless of how it happens,” McDonald said.
Luigi’s owner Bill Poss lamented the loss of the “pizza, salad, cookies and soft drinks dinner that would bring together 150 to 200 people” but said he applauded the efforts of the Lions Club to keep things going.
“The interaction with the hearing-impaired Santa was certainly one of the highlights and things are being kept a lot more simple this year,” he said. “I tip my hat to whoever said we need to keep this going as these kids need some Christmas spirit and something to look forward to.”
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