NATCHEZ — Sometimes Santa needs a little help making the rounds this holiday season.

That’s when he calls on area law enforcement officers to make Christmas merry and bright for 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.

Santa Cop’s shopping day is scheduled for Dec. 17, and dozens of local children are usually put on the Santa Cop list with the help of the Department of Human Services and local school counselors.

The number of children that get to shop with local officers depends on the amount of donations, Natchez Police Department Sgt. and FOP President Jerry Ford said.

“We would like to take as many kids as possible, but it all depends on the amount of donations we get,” he said.

Santa Cop is in its 24th year, and Ford said it fills a great need in the community, Ford said.

“We’ve been doing this program for the last 25 years, and there has always been a need in our community to help those who are less fortunate,” he said.  “We want to make sure that we put forth an effort to give back to the community in a positive way.”

As police officers that regularly encounter residents on their worst days instead of their best, Ford said officers see firsthand families that need a little extra help.

“There are so many situations that we come in contact with on a daily basis with people who are less fortunate and kids who are in a situation where they are not getting all the proper necessities they need,” Ford said. “We have a heart for those people, and we are about making sure people in our community have a good and prosperous Christmas.”

Monetary donations for Santa Cop can be dropped off at the Natchez Police Department 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.