ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Christmas time is here, and soon, homes across America will be filled with people and presents galore.
Some families, however, are not as fortunate, and the holidays may not be as bright for them. Several programs, including Angel Trees and Christmas baskets, are in place to help make the season a little better.
For years, the Liberal Police Department has been making spirits bright for some local children through its LPD & Me Christmas event, formerly known as Shop With a Cop, and Saturday, Dec. 13, officers and children will take to Liberal’s Walmart as they purchase gifts for some local kids.
LPD Community Police Coordinator Dalanie Underwood said not much has changed in terms of planning from the past, but there is a great group of kids who will be going shopping.
“We’ve also been working with Walmart to make a few adjustments to this year’s experience, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how those changes make the day even more magical,” she said.
Fundraising for LPD & Me is done year-round. This year, events did not quite go as planned, as the annual golf tournament at Willow Tree Golf Course in June did not take place due to scheduling conflicts. Underwood said the department is planning to bring back the tournament in 2026, and she said the community always shows up in a big way for the Halloween-themed Trail of Terror in October.
She added the Trail of Terror is completely contribution driven, and this highlights the hard work the department’s staff puts in and the incredible support received from residents and businesses.
“We’d love to see even more involvement on the ‘scare’ side of the Trail of Terror in the future, but we had several businesses step up this year to help cover costs, and that means a lot,” she said.
Underwood said this year’s fundraisers have gone quite well.
“Weather hasn’t been on our side – something we’ve definitely learned the hard way,” she said. “The Trail of Terror saw a smaller crowd this year due to the rain, but we were still able to raise a solid amount.”
Underwood said programs like the Liberal Police & Community Association, which puts on LPD & Me, are incredibly important, especially in small towns.
“There are so many families who just need a little extra to help from time to time, and this program gives us the opportunity to step in and support them when it matters most,” she said.
Underwood said thus far, planning for this year’s LPD & Me has gone smoothly, with no hiccups as of yet.
“We’re trying not to jinx ourselves,” she said. “It’s always a lot of coordination, but the process has been pretty steady.”
Underwood said all of the hard work LPD does to make the Christmas event possible is incredibly rewarding.
“This is our biggest event of the year, and we put so much effort into our fundraisers, so we can support as many families as possible,” she said. “The payoff isn’t just for our department – it’s for the community. Without their support, none of this would be possible.”
Underwood said she finds helping children have a merry Christmas genuinely heartwarming.
“This event reminds us to pause and look beyond our own day-to-day lives because so many families in our community are facing challenges we don’t always see,” she said. “One of the things that always stands out to us is how thoughtful and selfless many of the kids are. They don’t just think about themselves. They consider the people they love, and you can really see how much they care about giving to others. Watching their faces light up as they shop is something you never forget.”
This year, officers will be shopping for about 90 kids, which Underwood said is close to normal for LPD & Me. She added staff is really looking forward to Dec. 13.
“This is the day we’ve spent all year working toward, and seeing everything come together is always a special moment,” she said. “We’re also grateful to have the Seward County Sheriff’s office and Kansas Highway Patrol joining us again. Having everyone come together for the same purpose makes the day feel even more meaningful. It’s a good reminder of why we do what we do.”
The Liberal Police & Community Association officially became a non-profit in 2023, and this is when LPD’s Christmas event got its new name of LPD & Me. Underwood said even though the names have changed, the department’s mission has not.
“Many people still know the event as ‘Shop With a Cop,’ and honestly, we still slip and say it sometimes too, but LPD & Me felt like a good fit because it really reflects the heart of the event,” she said. “We’re all getting used to the new name, but the mission hasn’t changed at all.”
Underwood has been working with LPD & Me for years, but she said when she first came to the department, she had no idea the event existed.
“I started in July, so I only had a few months before planning kicked off, and it was definitely intimidating,” she said. “A lot goes into an event of this scale, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s hard to describe unless you’re there in person. The kids, the staff, the volunteers, it’s an amazing experience. You really get to see the impact this program makes, and that makes every bit of work worthwhile.”
Underwood said LPD’s goal has always been to better serve Liberal, and the LPD & Me event is one of the ways to do that. This alone, she said, is a huge motivator to keep the event going.
As someone who grew up in Liberal, Underwood said being able to help neighbors in need is something she values.
“It doesn’t take much to get us motivated for the event itself,” she said. “The fundraisers can take a little extra energy sometimes, especially once we get into our busy season, but it doesn’t take long before we’re all in and ready to go.”
For Underwood, Christmas is about togetherness, spending time with family, friends and even work families.
“It’s a chance to make memories, appreciate the people who matter most and share a little joy with everyone around you,” she said.
This Christmas, Underwood said she is thankful for the support LPD has received and the opportunity to serve others throughout the year.
“I’m especially grateful for the amazing crew at the police department,” she said. “Their dedication and hard work allow us to make a real impact, whether through events like LPD & Me or our everyday work. Knowing our efforts makes a difference makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
