This week, Mr. and Mrs. Claus took an extra special detour to Speech and Language Development Center (SLDC) to join in on the fun holiday activities on campus. Students got dressed up in their best Christmas attire, designed homemade ornaments, and got to visit with Santa to tell him all their heartfelt Christmas wishes.
Every year, Mr. and Mrs. Claus pay SLDC a visit to create a safe and inclusive space for our students. Santa Claus is undoubtedly magical for many reasons, but the man underneath the red suit and white costume beard, may be even more – Dan Juliano. This is a Santa who carries a profound legacy and a deep connection to SLDC, as he dons the red cap today just as his father did for 50 years before him.
Read below to learn more about Dan and his Mrs. Claus (wife Becky Juliano), the Santa Claus legacy he inherited from his father, the joy he brings to our special needs students, and his musical talents as a “Singing Santa.”
The Legacy
Dan’s involvement with SLDC began 30 years ago when he started assisting his father, Dick Juliano, during his annual Santa visits. By that point, Dick was well seasoned as SLDC’s Santa Claus, as he had begun the tradition 20 years earlier. Dick delighted students by listening to their holiday wishes and hosting story time, while Dan would pass out candy canes and Christmas books. This gave Dan the chance to connect with the students and staff at SLDC. He fell in love with the campus and found that he looked forward to Christmas time at SLDC with his family every year.
As the years went on, it became obvious that Dan would be the perfect heir to the Santa Claus tradition. After closely watching his father in action for so many years, Dan had a wealth of knowledge of the mannerisms and words that would bring kids comfort and joy, just as his father had done. And so, in 2017, Dick lovingly passed the Santa Claus role to Dan. Today, Dan remains committed to honoring the tradition of his father and upholding his love for SLDC as Santa. This heartfelt tribute is even more special this year with the passing of Dick Juliano this past fall.
The Singing Santa
Dan describes his take on Santa Claus as one who is calm and loving, always. He realizes the care that needs to be taken to make sure our students feel comfortable around him. Dan says, “It also helps that there’s a magic about Santa. The students have that recognition!”
Throughout the years, he has learned signs and cues from the kids to adapt his character. He also relies on teachers and staff to help create a safe and fun experience for each individual student. Usually, the kids are already excited to see him so it doesn’t take much convincing – he’s Santa Claus after all!
Another special way Dan interacts with the students is through the singing of classic Christmas tunes. Dan has been blessed with the extraordinary talent of song. Starting in 4th grade, Dan sang in an all-boys choir where his talents were honed. He would later find himself singing for Disney with the “Dapper Dans,” caroling and coming in for studio work.
Dan says, “I’m very involved in my church at The Holy Family where I also cantor. I’ve been blessed with the ability to sing. It’s a gift.”
Dedication to SLDC
Dan’s connection with SLDC extends beyond the festive season. Joining the Board of Directors three years ago, he now serves as the secretary on the governance committee. SLDC has become a primary focus for philanthropy and service for Dan and his Mrs. Claus, Becky Juliano. Their commitment to supporting SLDC’s mission is truly inspirational.
“There is so much need and the school does a tremendous job. There’s nothing but potential for the school to keep growing and serving more individuals in need. We should all seek out avenues where we can help others. I’ve always felt called for service and community.”
In the future, Dan hopes to inspire even more participation with SLDC from his family, sharing, “The next Santa in my family could be my son or my nephew. It would be really special if this tradition could live on.” In the meantime, you can find them all this holiday season making homemade gnocchi and baking Italian Pizzelle cookies with the whimsical sound of “White Christmas” in the background.
