Santa Ride for Children's Inn at NIH Revs Up Dec. 14

From Montgomery Police: On Wednesday, December 14, Santa will trade in his sleigh to ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle during the Montgomery County Police Department’s annual Santa Ride that benefits The Children’s Inn at NIH. The department invites residents to stop at any of the predetermined locations to visit with Santa and his motor officer elves.

SANTA RIDE TO BENEFIT CHILDREN’S INN AT NIH:

Santa and his elves (aka: motor officers) will travel throughout the county on their motorcycles as they make their way to bring gifts and donations from local businesses and organizations to the children and families at the Children’s Inn at NIH (National Institutes of Health). While at the Inn, officers will help the children choose presents for their family members at a gift shop.

“The Children’s Inn at NIH is a residential ‘place like home’ for up to 59 seriously ill children and their families who stay together while participating in groundbreaking medical research at the National Institutes of Health, the world’s leading biomedical research center. Families come from across the country and around the world to stay together at The Inn – free of charge – no matter how long they need to stay. The Inn gives kids a chance to be kids and aims to reduce the burdens of illness through recreational, therapeutic and educational programming.” – The Children’s Inn at NIH

SCHEDULE*:
Destination Address Arrival Time

• 5th District (Germantown) Station 20000 Aircraft Dr, Germantown 10:00 a.m.
• Upcounty Regional Services Center 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown 10:05a.m.
• Wegmans 20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown 10:30 a.m.
• Kentlands Market Square By Starbucks,121 Market Street, Kentlands 11:05 a.m.
• Public Safety Headquarters 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg 11:30 a.m.
• Bennigan’s (Lunch) 23315 N Frederick Avenue, Clarksburg 12:30 a.m.
• Fair Hill Plaza – Harris Teeter 18169 Town Center Drive, Olney 2:30 p.m.
• Ellsworth Drive near Starbucks 915 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring 3:10p.m.
• Veteran’s Park Intersection of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues 3:50 p.m.
• The Children’s Inn at NIH Private event – Patients only 4:30 p.m.

*Santa will do his very best to stay on schedule but all times are approximate. Follow the Department on Twitter @mcpnews during the Santa Ride for the most up-to-the-minute information.

In the past, residents have asked why the Santa Ride cannot begin at night so that school children may have a better opportunity to see Santa. The ultimate goal of this ride is meet with the families of NIH, so we need to make sure that we arrive at the Inn at a reasonable hour and that Santa has time to talk with all of the children, police say.

HOW TO DONATE:

To provide a financial donation to the Children’s Inn at NIH, please see the below letter from the Children’s Inn:

To Whom It May Concern:

The Montgomery County Police Department, in association with other law enforcement offices within the county have become partners in the annual “Santa’s Escort Ride” to benefit The Children’s Inn at NIH. The procession of over 30 uniformed policemen led by Santa on a Harley has become a highlight of the holiday season for the last several years. The charity ride has even captured the attention of many media outlets.

The Children’s Inn is a private, nonprofit, family-centered residence for pediatric outpatients at the National Institutes of Health. Its purpose is to keep children together with their families during serious illness, reduce their stress and facilitate the healing process through mutual support. In fiscal year 2016, more than 1,500 families came from 50 states and 86 countries to stay at The Inn. Families do not pay to stay at the Inn; we rely solely on private contributions to sustain our operations.

We are seeking financial donations from local organizations and businesses. All donations raised from this event will help support operational expenses as well as programs for the entire family. These services include recreational, therapeutic, wellness, educational, and spiritual programming. Each one designed to build community and well being among residents and to provide children and families a natural opportunity to meet and make friends with others going through similar experiences.

We are hoping you will be able to donate to this charity event. Your charitable, tax-deductible donation will help The Children’s Inn continue to provide much needed services to seriously ill children and their families. To provide a financial donation on-line, please visit our website at childrensinn.org/santaride

, and enter your information. You may also mail your donation to The Children’s Inn at NIH, Attn: Donation Department in c/o Santa Police Ride, 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at lking@mail.nih.gov or by phone at 301-451-9454. Thank you in advance for considering our request.
With gratitude,
Laura King

Sr. Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach

Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Police