GALLIPOLIS — Gallipolis City police officers and Explorers braved the snow and frigid weather Saturday to help raise money for kids this holiday season.

Officers stood in the roadway in front of Wal-Mart for more than four hours, hats in hand, asking for cash donations from passing motorists.

According to Sgt. Matt Champlin, the money raised on Saturday will go to a program at Gallia County Children’s Services that will help provide a Christmas for those children who might otherwise go without this holiday.

“We have just been overwhelmed with support today,” Champlin said. “Even in this snow and cold, everyone has been very generous.”

Champlin said officers began the drive with a goal of $200, and were uncertain if they would even get that. By the end of the endeavor, officers had collected $3,500, Champlin said.

“We far exceeded that in the first hour,” he said. “This is going to make a lot of kids very happy this Christmas.

“I cannot thank the people of Gallia County enough,” Champlin added. “We really appreciate those who gave to our hat drive, and we do realize that times are tough for everyone, especially this close to Christmas.”

Champlin also wanted to thank the officers who assisted in the hat drive, including the two young volunteer explorers at the police department, Josh Staley and Mike Oliver.

If you would like to give to the hat drive, but were unable to do so on Saturday, please drop off your donation, in a sealed envelope marked “Police Hat Drive,” at the police department anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.until Friday, Dec. 12.