When Santa Claus rides through Silver Spring on Wednesday, Dec. 18, he'll be on a BearCat.



The BearCat—an acronym for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck—is an armored police tactical vehicle. It's not commonly driven around Montgomery County, so when Santa rides the BearCat from Germantown to Bethesda, he'll be sure to be spotted.



Santa will be escorted on Wednesday by county police officers, according to a police department news release, and Santa and the officers will transport gift bags and donations raised by the police department to a party for children whose families are residents of The Children's Inn at NIH, according to the news release.



"This is a very special night for the children and families at The Inn," Laura King, director of volunteers and community outreach, said in a statement.



"Santa's visit allows kids to forget about the hospital and their illness—at least for the night," she added.



Santa and the police begin the ride at the 5th District police station in Germantown (20000 Aircraft Dr.) at 10 a.m., and finish up at The Children's Inn (7 West Dr., Bethesda) at around 5:30 p.m., the police department stated.



Here are Santa's slated locations on Wednesday:

