OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- A couple local children are using donuts and lemonade to show appreciation for police officers. Oliver Davis and Morea Cummings will have a stand in place Friday from 9 a.m. to noon near 95th and Nall in Overland Park. All police officers are welcome to stop by and enjoy donuts and lemonade.
Officer Phil Goff of the Leawood Police Department serves as an instructor for Davis, who is 6 years old, as part of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program.
"When you see somebody young, like Oliver's age, that is trying to emulate you and trying to do what you do because he admires you, it's a great feeling for officers," Goff said. "We appreciate that people in the community see the good things we are trying to do each and every day, and we just really appreciate it when he comes out and says, 'Hey, I want to say thank you.' It doesn't matter the age, we just always appreciate it."
Davis' mother also spoke about the boy's appreciation for police.
"He has always wanted to be a police officer, and he has such a relationship with the police officers; they've been so kind and included him in a lot of stuff," said Brandi Davis, Oliver's mother. "This is his way to say thank you to all the police officers, that they work really hard, and he wanted to do a lemonade and donut stand just to say thank you for all their hard work."
Officer Goff also talked about what it's like to be a police officer in today's climate.
"Police officers every day have to deal with a lot of bad stuff, and people don't really want us to be around," he said. "So when you come across people in the community that like us and want to show their appreciation, it really makes our day and helps us to continue to do the job."
Goff said the police departments in the area have taken Oliver's affection in stride.
"He is around a lot, and he is always kind of reaching out to us and telling us thanks, and it's just neat to see somebody young like him that just wants to kind of be a part of stuff in the community, besides just playing in a video game," said Goff. "For him to have the donuts for the officers, and it's not just in this community, it's for anybody in the area, and I think there will be a lot of officers who are going to stop by. Who doesn't like doughnuts?"
For Brandi Davis, the way police have reacted to Oliver's idea is also significant.
"Lately, I've seen how sweet and how hardworking they are, and I'm so amazed that he has seen it too and he wants to thank the police officers for their hard work," she said.
41 Action News also asked Oliver if he will be a police officer for Halloween. While tempting, he said he'll be trick-or-treating in a Transformers costume this year.
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