July 2025 Edition
By Laura McCabe
LKPD Communications Manager
Just like the real Santa, the Lawrence Blue Santas often fly low and under the radar, but this group of law enforcement volunteers is making a profound difference in our community. Their recent annual fundraiser, a lively murder mystery dinner held in June, showcased their commitment, while those who attended had a great time supporting the cause.
Who are the Blue Santas?
The Blue Santa organization began during the holiday season of 2011 when a small group of law enforcement professionals got tired of entering so many homes with no gifts under a Christmas tree and often no tree at all. They decided to change that, and Blue Santa was born.
A Pivotal Shift: Officer Referrals and Community-Wide Impact
The year 2020 marked a significant turning point for Blue Santa says Jana Ramsey, a Crime Scene Investigator with LKPD and a Blue Santa Board member, “During the pandemic, we experienced nothing we had ever experienced before. More community members needed our assistance and we knew we had to expand our vision.” This led to the development of a new officer-referral initiative offering year-round support.
Ramsey emphasized the importance of keeping officers involved, “We knew officers saw where our resources were most needed and could really make an impact. When law enforcement encounters someone in the community, they are usually having a bad day already. What if that interaction were to lead to assistance from Blue Santa, and turn their day around?”
The hope is to bridge the gap and transform potentially negative encounters into opportunities for support and connection. “We believe it builds trust and fosters communication,” says Ramsey. “When people feel heard and respected, that typically translates to mending the relationship between law enforcement and the community they work for,” Ramsey continued.
A Personal Commitment to Giving Back
For Jana Ramsey, volunteering with Blue Santa is more than just a duty; it’s a deeply personal commitment. “To help someone who is down and out, feeling stuck, or just having a bad day, and being a small beacon of hope for them, brings so much joy and happiness to my heart and reminds me that we are all human, just walking this life together and need to help each other,” says Ramsey.
Support Lawrence Blue Santa
Through their dedicated volunteer efforts and strategic programs, Blue Santa continues to be a source of hope and support, strengthening the bond between the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and the community they proudly serve. Watch for upcoming fundraising events by following the Lawrence Kansas Police Department and Lawrence Blue Santa’s social media pages. You can also send a cash donation through venmo @Blue-Santa-1 or by emailing bluesanta@gmail.com for more options.
Supporting the Lawrence Community
While the Blue Santas still surprise individuals by replacing stolen or damaged items, or gifting basic necessities during times of crisis, they also consistently fund several vital programs for the LKPD.
- The Lights On! program addresses a common issue that can lead to significant financial strain for individuals. Lights On! allows officers to present a voucher rather than a citation to people who are stopped for an equipment violation. The voucher pays up to $250 to get it fixed. This prevents minor vehicle issues from escalating into larger financial problems for community members at no cost to taxpayers.
- The Sheets for Survivors program offers compassionate support to victims of sexual assault by providing bedding to victims of sexual assault. Ramsey says, “If bedding is collected as evidentiary value, and the victim is left without sheets, Blue Santa has purchased enough sheet sets to replace them.”
- Blue Santa recently took on the funding of the 2025 Police Camp, which aims to provide a fun way to foster positive relationships and understanding between young people and law enforcement.