10-year-old given surprise donation by Village of Monroe police officer

JJ is a 5th-grader at St. John School in Goshen. His mom said he’s well-known in the community for his fundraising efforts and that “one of his favorite things to do” is to stop by local police and fire departments with treats for members, using his own money.

On Monday, JJ stopped by the Village of Monroe Police Department with several boxes of food and his mom says Officer Anthony Luisi donated $100 “of his own money” to the boy’s school to help with their current fundraiser that JJ is participating in.

“This is an amazing example of what a community is about,” says the boy’s mother Mary Smith Ferreira. “More importantly, this is leading by example for our children."

Ferreira says JJ has a “heart of gold” and already raised $150 and three bags of groceries for the fundraiser. For his birthday in November, instead of gifts, she says her son asked for donations to charity.

Officer Luisi is also well-known in the community for going above and beyond. In December, he rescued a dog from the near-death experience after it was trapped and unable to breathe.

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