News Releases

Here Comes Santa Claus! Riding into Town on His Harley to Benefit The Children's Inn at NIH

For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 6, 2018

On Wednesday, December 12, Santa will trade in his sleigh to ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle 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.

WHAT: SANTA RIDE TO BENEFIT THE 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.

"Located on the NIH campus, The Children’s Inn is a nonprofit hospitality house that provides free lodging and supportive services to families of children with rare and serious illnesses whose best hope is a clinical trial at the NIH. Every year, The Children’s Inn houses more than 1,700 children and their families from across the United States and the world to help reduce the burden of illness on families, make childhood possible despite illness and advance medical breakthroughs at the NIH that benefit children today and generations to come. For more information about The Children’s Inn, visit childrensinn.org or follow us on social media at  -- Facebook: @TheChildrensInn; Twitter: @TheChildrensInn; Instagram: @thechildrensinn" – The Children’s Inn at NIH

WHEN: Wednesday, December 12, 2018

WHERE:

Starting Location
5th District (Germantown) Station	20000 Aircraft Drive, Germantown	10:00 a.m.
SCHEDULE: Destination	Address	Arrival Time
Upcounty Regional Services Center	12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown	10:05 a.m.
Public Safety Headquarters	100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg	10:45 a.m.
RIO Washingtonian Center (Target)	25 Grand Corner Avenue, Gaithersburg	11:15 a.m.
	(Lunch)
Fair Hill Plaza – Olney Town Center (near fountain)	18169 Town Center Drive, Olney	2:30 p.m.
Ellsworth Drive near Starbucks	915 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring	3:15 p.m.
Pike & Rose shopping center	11580 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda	4:00 p.m.
The Children’s Inn at NIH	Private event – Patients only	4:45 p.m.

*Santa will do his very best to stay on schedule but please note that all times are approximate.  Please follow the Department on Twitter @mcpnews during the Santa Ride for the most up-to-the-minute 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 to 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 there.  We appreciate your understanding.

HOW TO DONATE:

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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 2018, more than 1,700 families came from 50 states and 94 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 wellbeing 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 www.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 [email protected] or by phone at 301-451-9454.  Thank you in advance for considering our request.

With gratitude,

Laura King

Sr. Director of Community Engagement

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FOLLOW ALONG ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER: Virtual “Santa Ride” – #MCPSantaRide #MotorSanta

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Release ID: 18-524
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: community-event, press-releases