Law & Justice
Ansonia Officer Surprises 7‑Year‑Old With New Sneakers After Lemonade Stand
A 7‑year‑old boy named Landen in Ansonia, Connecticut, set up a lemonade and cookie stand outside his home to earn money for a new pair of blue sneakers. He sold the refreshments for $1 each, hoping to save enough to buy the shoes himself. Landen’s grandmother, Wendelyn Narvaez, posted photos of the stand on social media, showing the boy behind a handwritten sign that read "$1 lemonade/cookies." The posts drew the attention of Ansonia Police Officer Joel Perez, who was serving with the department at the time. After learning about Landen’s goal, Perez asked for the boy’s shoe size and left the stand. A few hours later he returned with a box of new Adidas sneakers. A photo shared by Narvaez shows Perez crouching beside Landen while holding the shoebox, with the boy still holding the lemonade sign and looking delighted. The gesture received praise online and from Ansonia Police Chief Wayne Williams, who said Perez exemplified the type of officer the department wanted to recruit. Perez also posted about the experience on social media, thanking the community and encouraging Landen. Perez had joined the Ansonia Police Department in March 2022 after serving as a military police officer. The incident became an example of how a small personal gesture can leave a lasting impression on a community.