Santa, Local Celebs Add Cheer to Children’s Inn Season

The holiday season at the Children’s Inn at NIH was decidedly cheerier with visits by Santa and several local celebrities.

On Dec. 13, about 50 families gathered outside the inn to greet the annual Santa Ride featuring both the main man and Mrs. Claus, escorted by about 30 motorcycle officers from the Montgomery County Police Department who arrived with sirens blaring.

Sans reindeer for the visit, Santa (also known as MCPD Ofcr. Robert Ladany) stepped off a Harley- Davidson, to the delighted cheers of inn residents. Once inside, he and the missus took photos with kids and chatted about holiday wishes as police motorcycle “elves” painted residents’ faces and had their own faces painted.

On Dec. 22, Washington Wizards power forward Markieff Morris temporarily traded the basketball for an icing tube to help make cookies for Santa with inn kids and family members.

That same day, Real Housewives of Potomac reality TV star Karen Huger helped out during Camp INNcredible, a daily 2-hour winter break camp experience filled with fun learning activities for children spending the holidays at the inn.