NATCHEZ — Santa Cop is making his list, but he needs extra help this year making sure Christmas is merry and bright for some local children.

The Natchez chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police sponsors Santa Cop, a program in which police officers accompany needy children to pick out clothes, toys and groceries during the holiday season.

Officers and deputies from the Natchez Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, as well as first responders and other agencies pick children up in police vehicles, treat them to breakfast and then shopping.

Santa Cop is scheduled for Dec. 19, and approximately 50 local children are usually put on the Santa Cop list with the help of the Department of Human Services and local school counselors.

“We’re hoping to take that many kids this year, but donations have been slow this year,” said Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford of the Natchez FOP. “We would like to take at least (50) kids, but we need some more donations.”

Santa Cop is aimed at making certain as many local children as possible have a wonderful holiday despite difficult times that may have befallen their families, Ford said.

“There are a lot of needy children out there whose parents are less fortunate and some who are not working or single parenting, and a lot of those kids don’t get things they really need,” Ford said. “We really try to brighten up these kids’ holidays by making sure they have some of the things they really need and some of the things they really want, too.”

Santa Cop also gives local law enforcement the opportunity to show the community a different side of the police.

“We really try to make the public understand we do care about our citizens and our community,” Ford said. “We are out here not just trying to protect the public … but also trying to make our community a better place by giving back. We want to help make everybody’s a little brighter, and we hope we can do that by doing what we can for these children.”

Monetary donations for Santa Cop can be dropped off at the NPD at 233 D’Evereux Drive. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 97, Natchez, MS 39120. Checks should be made out to the Natchez Fraternal Order of Police — Shop with a Cop/Santa Cop.

Those seeking further information can reach Ford at 601-445-7543.