A huge smile and big hug is all his fans require.
Eight-year-old Oliver Davis is a second grader at Brookwood Elementary School, in Overland Park, Kansas. He is affectionately known as “Officer Oliver” and needless to say, is in a league of his own. I saw Officer Oliver on a national news story and was so impressed and determined to feature him in Our Health Matters.
He has also appeared on “The Steve Harvey Show” who, by the way, is paying for a year’s worth of roses for him to give to residents at nursing homes. It was easy selecting Oliver to convey the soul and SPIRIT aspect of our Children’s Health and Wellness—MIND, BODY and SPIRIT edition.
Oliver’s mom, Brandi, shares “Oliver started helping the community when he was 5 years old. He believed he was a real police officer and his duty as a police officer was to help the community. He asked me if we could visit his great-grandmother’s nursing home to and pass out flowers. After we went the first time, he was hooked and asked if it was OK if he could give them a hug also? I told him yes and that this was his best idea yet.
Oliver has already staked his sights on becoming a policer officer. In fact, he dresses in his tailor-made police uniform and rides a small police motorcycle. The Davis household consists of his father, Steve, mom Brandi, and sisters, Addie and Eloise, all who are so supportive of him.
Brandi continues: When we go to nursing homes, he gives each resident a flower and a “police ticket that reads, “STOP, You Have Received a Ticket for being Too Cute”. He signs his name and gives them a warm hug! He has passed out more than 10,000 flowers and hugs in the last year. Oliver is feeling the impact of his kindness. He tells me often, “Mom, I just feel so good after that.” I had one resident tell me they haven’t had a hug in five years and that his hug made their whole year. I will keep encouraging Oliver to help others because of the powerful impression it is making on him, also! He knows it is one act of kindness that can change someone’s day and perhaps life!
We asked Oliver: What do you enjoy most about visiting nursing homes?
“Making them happy, it makes me happy. I love making people smile. I look forward every week to meeting new people.”
