A Sweet Way To Spend Christmas: Share Some Cocoa And Cakes

SARASOTA, FL — The Leaders Rights Organization plans to spread a little holiday cheer by giving away cocoa, cake and other goodies Christmas Day. The group will meet at 4 p.m. at Fredd Glossie Atkins Park, 2431 Washington Court in Sarasota.

It’s not too late to join the organization Friday, said founder Alaina Martinez. Volunteers are needed to help out, and donations to offset the cost of the desserts are always appreciated. While the event targets the homeless and others in need, anyone is welcome to attend, she added.

Martinez established the Leaders Rights Organization in February. It started as a small group that “wanted to do some community work, as far as enrichment programs, things like that, educational-based work and programs that raised emotional and social awareness,” she said.

After the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis in May, the LRO participated in peaceful protests throughout the community. They felt these protests “lacked direction,” though, she said. “So, we stepped up and started to take the lead and the reins of direct protests to make sure they were safe, peaceful and got across our message of unity and all inclusiveness.”

The group’s primary focus is feeding the homeless and hungry in Sarasota and Manatee counties. It started by making enough food to feed 100 people, Martinez said. “We quickly saw that we needed to make more food than just that. People were walking from miles away to get something to eat. We’d run out of food and have to stop what we were doing to grab bread and lunchmeats. We’d make quick packets for the people who traveled far distances just to eat.”

With so much need in the community, the group began hosting food giveaways every Thursday at 4 p.m. at Fredd Glossie Atkins Park. It feeds at least 300 people at these events each week, she said.

On Wednesday, mobile groups of volunteers head into Manatee County with prepacked food and hot meals seeking out the homeless.

“We go into their little camps, find people behind bushes and abandoned buildings,” Martinez said. “Everywhere they are, we seek them out.”

Other programs have included a back-to-school drive for students opting to learn remotely from home during the pandemic. They’ve advocated for Black education to be included in curriculum at local school board meetings. And in February, the group will host a local talent showcase.

“We want to give people a platform to be able to express themselves about how they feel in this current time,” she said.

The Christmas Day dessert event will be similar to the group’s weekly Thursday food distribution, Martinez said. This time, though, they’ll focus on providing a holiday experience for people who don’t often get to celebrate.

One of the LRO’s leaders, Arlene Holmes, is a pastry chef who will make many of the cakes and treats herself. They’ll also serve hot cocoa and hand out small gift bags. And a live saxophonist will entertain the crowd.

“It’s just something to show our appreciation to the community and to give back,” Martinez said.

Learn more about the Leaders Rights Organization, including Friday’s event and how to donate to the cause, at its Facebook page.

Here are some additional Christmas 2020 stories:

• Christmas Weekend 2020 Mall Hours In Sarasota
• Restaurants Open On Christmas 2020 In Sarasota
• How To Have A Very Merry And Safe Christmas In Florida
• As Puppy Scams Peak, Adopt A Pet Instead At A Sarasota Shelter
• Police Lights, Nutcracker Rock Sarasota Holiday Video
• Florida’s Santas, Mrs. Clauses Adapt In The Era Of Coronavirus
• What's Open, Closed In Sarasota County Christmas Weekend 2020
• Publix, Walmart: Christmas 2020 Grocery Store Hours In Sarasota
• Christmas Bird Count: How To Find An Active Circle Near Sarasota
• See The Risk Of Coronavirus Exposure Indoors In Sarasota County