Christmas Came Again in January to the Children’s Inn at NIH

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 12, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Christmas Came Again in January
to the Children’s Inn at NIH

For approximately 20 years the Montgomery County Police Department has had a tradition of holding a fundraising “Santa Ride” organized by the department’s traffic officers. Since December of 2008, funds from the Santa Ride have benefited the Children’s Inn at NIH. This year officers raised approximately $10,000 from their December 13 ride which featured Santa on a motorcycle escorted by approximately 22 motor officers.

Santa and the officers presented gifts and gift cards to the children staying at the Children’s Inn at the conclusion of the ride. But the Christmas spirit didn’t end there. When officers told the Gaithersburg Sheehy Ford dealership about their project, General Manager Shawn Lynes, said his dealership would match the funds raised by the officers.

Today at noon police facilitated a rare appearance by Santa in January. The sleigh could only make it so far with last night’s minor snowfall, so a Montgomery County Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) armored vehicle brought Santa in style to the dealership located at 901 N. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

There he was met by Police Chief Tom Manger, Children’s Inn volunteer Assistant Chief Drew Tracy, 6th District Commander Willie Parker-Loan and Lt. Daniel Waring, along with several motor officers including Sergeants Tom Harmon and Richard Demory who coordinated today’s event.

Santa was delighted to join the Children’s Inn Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach Laura King and Sheehy General Manager Lynes as the check presentation was made. Santa, motor officer Robert Ladany, has clearly loved hearing the wishes of the children receiving treatment at NIH when officers make their special December appearance and so was determined to be there today as additional funds were donated to the Inn.

In 2010 over 1500 families stayed 14,541 nights at the Inn at no charge while their children were receiving medical treatment at NIH. Since the Children’s Inn opened in 1990, over 10,000 children have stayed at the Inn.

MCP Chief Tom Manger, Santa Claus (Traffic Officer Robert Ladany), Sheehy Ford General Manager Shawn Lynes, and Children's Inn Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach Laura King. Photo credit: MCPD - David Roloff

MCP Traffic Officer Robert Ladany, arrives at Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg in a "Bearcat", an armored police tactical vehicle. Photo credit: MCPD - David Roloff

Pictured left to right back row: Traffic Officer Brian Kuykendal, Traffic Officer Tony Hogeback, Police Chief Tom Manger, Santa (Traffic Officer Robert Ladany), Sheehy Ford General Manager Shawn Lynes, Traffic Sergeant Richard Demory, Children's Inn Director of Volunteers and Community Outreach Laura King. front row: MCP Assistant Chief and Children's Inn Volunteer Drew Tracy, Traffic Sergeant Scott Brown, and Traffic Sergeant Tom Harmon. Photo credit: MCPD - David Roloff