Santa is coming to town early, and on something a bit more high-tech than a sleigh.

The Montgomery County Police's Motor Squad will host a "Santa Ride" on Wednesday to benefit the Children's Inn at NIH — a private, nonprofit residence for pediatric patients at the National Institutes of Health and their families.

Montgomery County Police have been collecting donations from all six county police districts, area businesses and private citizens to purchase gift cards from local stores to assist families at the Inn. The funds raised will also provide gifts for children at the Inn who are receiving treatment from NIH.

About 20 officers will escort Santa on motorcycle, beginning at the 5th District Police Station in Germantown at 10 a.m. and ending at the Children's Inn at 5:30 p.m., where officers and Santa will spend time with the children in residence there.

Stops throughout the day will include presentations of the donations with Germantown Chamber representatives and the Greater Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber representatives, as well as visits to Veteran's Park and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda.

Donations can be made online at www.childrensinn.org.