Police Officers Helping To Make Local Lemonade Stands A Little Sweeter
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police officers have been showing up at lemonade stands across the country, including here in Pittsburgh.
But their visits aren't necessarily a bad thing.
Ten-year-old lemonade vendor Josselyn Patterson set up shop on a busy corner in Brighton Heights.
"You just have to have a really loud voice," she says. "And it sometimes works, sometimes it doesn't."
She says she has plans for her profits.
"I want to be a plastic surgeon for children. And I want to go to Harvard for that. My friend got kind of mauled by a dog, on his face, and I just want to help people that that happens to."
Then she gets a big surprise.
Several Zone One police vehicles showed up, but the officers all had smiles on their faces.
Police spokeswoman Emily Shaffer says it's one of many stops police have made, as part of the nationwide "Cops Love Lemonade Stands" initiative.
It's the kind of connection that doesn't make headlines.
"People call them on the worst day of their lives," Shaffer explains. So interacting with the community on a positive note, on a sweeter note, is very rewarding for our officers."
Officer Kim Stanley is also a mom.
"I'm proud of her like I'm proud of my own kids," she says. "I think she's just super. And I think the idea that she wants to be a plastic surgeon for children is just amazing."
"I'm really, really, really, really, really happy," Josselyn smiles.
That's the idea.
If you have a lemonade stand, or know of one for the officers to stop at, click here for details.
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