Jun 7, 2026
Most kids running a lemonade stand worry about hailing down customers, whether they have enough ice and if the lemonade tastes sweet enough. But Parez and Jakkhi Reese encountered a different problem after someone called 911 on them.
The two brothers had set up their neighborhood lemonade stand in Kansas City, Kansas — something they’d reportedly been doing for years. But, this week, a concerned caller contacted emergency services to report the boys’ business. What happened next turned a potential buzzkill into one of the feel-good stories of the summer.
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When police officers and firefighters arrived on the scene, they didn’t shut the stand down. According to local reports, officers and members of the fire department quickly became some of the boys’ biggest customers.
Officer Morgan Reed was among the first to arrive and immediately started calling fellow officers, encouraging them to stop by and support the young business owners.
“I was just calling everybody — ‘Hey, make sure you guys stop by the lemonade stand,’” Reed told KCTV.
Within 30 minutes, dozens of first responders had visited the stand and purchased drinks and snacks.
The best return on investment
In startup circles, founders dream of viral marketing — especially when word spreads without spending a single advertising dollar. Parez and Jakkhi Reese got law-enforcement-powered word-of-mouth advertising that led to a strong sales day.
Thanks to the unexpected influx of customers, the brothers reportedly made around $280 in sales in less than half an hour. That’s not half bad for a business that started the day facing a complaint instead of a line of customers.
The caller may have intended to stop the operation, but the response had the opposite effect. In financial terms, the complaint generated a spectacular return. If the lemonade stand had shareholders, they’d probably be demanding more publicity.
Officer Reed even returned the following day and spent another $40, continuing to support the boys’ efforts.
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More than just lemonade money
While the sales boost made headlines, the story wasn’t only about money. The brothers said they were excited to interact with police officers and firefighters, collect stickers and even be named honorary officers for the day.
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Reed described the experience as an example of what community policing should look like: Creating positive interactions between children and local law enforcement.
The boys also had bigger plans for their earnings than simply buying toys. Parez said he’d like to help homeless people and eventually purchase an e-bike.
“That has been my dream since I was little,” Parez told KCTV.
Meanwhile, Jakkhi planned to use some of his money to buy diapers for his niece and nephew.
In the end, the mystery caller may have thought they were reporting a problem. Instead, they might’ve launched the most successful lemonade stand Kansas City will see all summer.
Talk about turning lemons into lemonade.
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AnnaMarie is a weekend editor for Moneywise.
