WISHES SEASON: ‘Santa Cop’ Ensures Kids Have Gifts – Mississippi’s Best Community Newspaper

NATCHEZ – This Saturday will be a day full of donations for the Natchez police department.

First, the department’s annual Santa Cop program will take place on Saturday morning, Chief Joseph Daughtry said.

Through the program, officers and volunteers take local children who otherwise might not have gifts on a Christmas shopping spree at Walmart.

Children can also choose their favorite toys and necessities – shoes, socks, underwear and a warm coat – and some can choose gifts for family members.

In recent years, approximately 30 to 40 children have been selected for the program by the Natchez-Adams County School District.

The program also serves as a relationship building tool between the police and the community they protect and serve.

Volunteering and donating money are two ways the Natchez community can support Santa Cop. The more donations are made to Santa Cop, the more children can benefit from the program.

Volunteers can contact the Natchez Police Department if they wish to help.

Monetary donations can be deposited or mailed to the Police Department at 233 Devereux Dr, Natchez, MS, 39120, with checks made payable to the Natchez Police Department with “Santa Cop” written on the envelope or line memo on checks, Daughtry mentioned.

This year, the department is hosting more than one charitable cause for the community, he said. To celebrate the anniversary of Daughtry’s first year as department head, area businesses, friends, and fraternities sponsored a Christmas turkey gift.

Daughtry said they will distribute around 200 turkeys and hams which these groups have helped them buy to feed families in need.

The turkey distribution is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 18 at the police department and will continue while supplies last.

For more information, contact the department at 601-445-5565.