Montgomery County Turns Out for Santa Ride 2025
For nearly 20 years, The Children’s Inn at NIH has been the recipient of the Montgomery County Police Department’s annual Santa Ride. Each year, Santa trades his sleigh for a motorcycle and cruises through the county, making stops and collecting donations that bring holiday joy to families at The Inn. After hosting a festive celebration and reception for Santa and his motor elves, we want to take a moment to say Thank You!
The people of Montgomery County turned out in record numbers along Santa’s route. They got a chance to meet the big guy, take photos, and share their own holiday wishes–but more importantly they brought an extraordinary outpouring of toys and donations. These generous gifts will stock the Gingerbread Gift Shop, where children and families can shop – free of charge – for gifts for loved ones while they are away from home this holiday season.
As the sun began to set, Santa and his motor elves, led by Assistant Chief David McBain, roared onto the campus at NIH. They turned into the parking lot of The Children’s Inn and saw the holiday lights glowing all over the building.
There, they were greeted by a crowd of families and staff members from The Inn, excited to see Santa as many of them had never seen him before – not riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer but piloting a Harley and accompanied by some of Montgomery County’s finest as well as a few motor elves in their holiday finest.
After greeting the families, the party moved inside to the community dining room, where Santa and Mrs. Claus spent a few minutes with each child — learning not only what they wanted for Christmas but who they are and what brought them to NIH. Meanwhile, families also mingled with the MCPD officers and Inn staff members, enjoying holiday treats and games as well as a dinner catered by Chipotle. They also got their first opportunities to check out the Gingerbread Gift Shop down the hall.
When dinner was over and the crowd was dispersing, Santa and his motor elves climbed back on their bikes and made their way up the hill to the NIH Clinical Center. There, they circled the building, waving to families who were in-patient and unable to make it down to The Inn for the festivities. Then away they all flew back to their stations, another successful Santa Ride in the books.
Thank you to everyone who came out to Santa Ride! Your donations have created holiday magic for families spending the season far from home. Your generosity means more than you know.
