The Christmas With Santa Cops program is always popular for both the children it helps and the police who take them shopping.

With fundraising difficulties this year, some officers took to the streets on Thursday and asked business owners face-to-face for some assistance with the program.

Christmas With Santa Cops is a program where schoolchildren from Rome and Floyd County shop with police for holiday gifts. According to John Glaze of the Coosa Valley Fraternal Order of Police, there were problems with the telemarketing company used earlier this year to raise money for the event.

That’s what led Floyd County police officers Chris Fincher and Sabrina Hall to walk down Broad Street on Thursday evening, meeting with local business owners and asking for their help to continue the program.

From restaurants to gift shops to jewelry stores, Fincher and Hall spoke with entrepreneurs, employees and customers, explaining the program to them. Almost every business donated at least a small amount of money, and Hall said it means a lot to have the community support the program.

“I’m really grateful that even during tough economic times, the Rome area merchants have been so generous,” Hall said. “This is a delightful opportunity for the police community, as well as our citizens, to join together and help some children who are in need for the holidays.

Fincher said meeting with businesses in person may be more comfortable for many people.

“I think a lot of people may be hesitant to donate through a telemarketer because of the fear that it may be a scam,” he said. “I think it’s more effective to meet with people face-to-face and explain what the program is about.”

Glaze said anyone wishing to donate to the Christmas With Santa Cops program can call the Rome Police Department at 706-238-5111 or the Floyd County Police Department at 706-235-7766.

Click here to see a previous report about last year's Christmas With Santa Cops.