Santa Pays Call on Children’s Inn

Hongzhu, a young adult residing at the Children’s Inn at NIH, takes a physically distanced photo with Santa (Ofcr. Robert “Bobby” Ladany) during the annual Montgomery County Police Department Santa Ride in support of the inn.

Photo: Meghan Arbegast

Officers get ready for the Santa Ride.

Photo: Meghan Arbegast

The annual Montgomery County Police Department Santa Ride in support of the Children's Inn at NIH took place Dec. 9.

The event culminated with a visit by Santa (Ofcr. Robert “Bobby” Ladany) and his motorcycle elves to the inn, where Santa delivered a special holiday message to children and families.

Due to a broken foot, Santa arrived on the back of a pickup truck rather than his traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This year’s modified event took place outdoors to help keep vulnerable NIH patients staying at the inn safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Santa Ride takes the motorcycle squad on a tour through Montgomery County. The highlight of the event is the stop at the inn, followed by a drive past the Clinical Center to wave at children who are inpatients, then around the NIH campus.