Help the Charleston Police Department fill Santa’s sleigh

Santa rides a Harley! The Charleston Police Department, in partnership with Charleston’s Ronald McDonald House and Fisher House, will be escorting Santa as he rides through Charleston delivering gifts to those local organizations on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

It is the goal of the Charleston Police Department to raise community awareness and offer support for local families as they support members undergoing critical medical treatment, the department said in a press release.  This year’s ride will begin at the Charleston Police Department at 180 Lockwood Blvd.

Police “elves” will load the sleigh and leave the station at 10 a.m. Santa will pick up donations from businesses along King Street and then proceed to the Ronald McDonald House at 81 Gadsden Street and the Fisher House at 150 Wentworth Street.

The public can also donate gifts to fill the sleigh. The Ronald McDonald House is requesting new, unused and unwrapped gifts for all ages. The Fisher House is requesting robes, blankets, and sweat suits for men and women. You can donate items by dropping or shipping them to: Charleston Police Department, Community Outreach, 80 Lockwood Blvd Charleston, SC 29403.

Please contact Ms. LaQuilla Smalls at the Charleston Police Department for additional information at: smallsl@charleston-sc.gov.

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston is to create compassionate environments and programs that provide families the best chance of success in caring for their child with complex medical needs.  The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston opened its doors 35 years ago as a “Home-away-from-home” where families stay while their children undergo extensive medical treatment. Today, the House is able to serve 32 families every single night. Here, parents and children lead a life as normal as possible during their traumatic times without the financial burden of costly hotel and travel expenses.

For more information on the Ronald McDonald House, please visit:

https://www.rmhcharleston.org/ or follow them on social media at – Facebook: @rmhccharleston; Twitter: @/RMHccharleston; Instagram: @rmhccharleston/

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Fisher House is a beautiful home away from home for the families of Veterans receiving care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. The Fisher House provides temporary lodging in a comfortable and relaxed setting, only a few blocks away from the medical facility. Guests can stay at the Fisher House at no cost for as long as their loved one is hospitalized. The Fisher House creates a warm and compassionate environment for families to find support from others in similar situations. Caring staff and volunteers are available to assist guests.

For more information on the Fisher House, please visit: https://www.charleston.va.gov/services/Fisher_House.asp or https://friendsoffisherhousecharleston.org/

Please join the members of the Charleston Police Department as we do all we can to support these two wonderful organizations as they assist local community residents in times of need during this holiday season.