News Releases

For Immediate Release: Sunday, December 13, 2015

On Wednesday, December 16, Santa will trade in his sleigh to ride a Harley during the 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 families at the Children's Inn at NIH.

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 families' stress, and facilitate the healing process through mutual support.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 16, 2015

SCHEDULE*:

Destination	Address	Arrival Time
5^th District (Germantown) Station	20000 Aircraft Dr, Germantown	9:00 a.m.
Upcounty Regional Services Center	12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown	9:20 a.m.
Wegmans	20600 Seneca Meadows Parkway, Germantown	9:50 a.m.
Kentlands Market Square	By Starbucks,121 Market Street, Kentlands	10:40 a.m.
Public Safety Headquarters	100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg	12:15 p.m.
Fair Hill Plaza - Harris Teeter	18169 Town Center Drive, Olney	12:55 p.m.
Ellsworth Drive near Starbucks	915 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring	1:45 p.m.
Not Your Average Joe’s (Lunch)	10400 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda	2:30 p.m.
Potomac Village Shopping Center - near Starbucks, Strosniders Hardware	10110 River Road, Potomac	4:00 p.m.
The Children’s Inn at NIH	Private event – Only patients	4:45 p.m.

*Santa will do his very best to stay on schedule. Please follow the Department on Twitter @mcpnews during the Santa Ride for the most up-to-date information.

In the past, residents have inquired why the Santa Ride cannot begin at night so that school children may have a better opportunity to see Santa. Please know that 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. We appreciate your understanding.

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 40 uniformed police officers, led by Santa on a Harley, continues to be a holiday highlight for families at The Children’s Inn.

In fiscal year 2015, more than 1,500 families came from 50 states and 86 countries to stay at The Inn. These families came to the National Institutes of Health to find treatment, a cure, or a diagnosis for a seriously ill child.

Families do not pay to stay at the Inn - ever; 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 help support operational expenses and programs for our families. These services include recreational, therapeutic, wellness, educational, and spiritual programming. Our programs are 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 hope you will donate to this special 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 www.childrensinn.org, click on ”Donate”, enter your information and indicate that you are giving in response to the “Santa Police Ride.” You also may print and mail or fax the donation form to the address listed below.

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

Senior Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach

The Children’s Inn at NIH

7 West Drive

Bethesda, MD 20814-1509

301-451-9454

www.childrensinn.org

lking@mail.nih.gov

_________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW ALONG: Virtual “Santa Ride” – #MCPSantaRide

SocialMedia (Original Image)

If you are unable to stop and see Santa and his elves along the Santa Ride route, MCP invites you to join us on a virtual ride-along with Santa as MCP officers will tweet in real-time as the Santa Ride progresses through the County. #MCPSantaRide
If you are able to join us for the Santa Ride, please tag us in your photos posted to social media.