8-year-old's hot chocolate stand serves first responders for free

Suzette Martinez, 8, gives first responders free hot chocolate and cookies on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.
Suzette Martinez, 8, gives first responders free hot chocolate and cookies on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

LAS CRUCES - Suzette Martinez, 8, helped spread some holiday cheer by opening a hot chocolate stand on a cold Saturday in December.

Mary Helen Luera called her granddaughter a "little entrepreneur" who first explored a lemonade stand. But since it wasn't a bright summer day, Suzy transitioned to hot chocolate.

Suzy set up shop in front of Luera's home on the 800 block of Suzanne Avenue and from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 18, warmed mouths and hearts for 50 cents a cup. The high temperature that day was 48 degrees.

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Each cup of hot chocolate included a free sugar cookie. Suzy also decided to serve all active military, veterans, police, firefighters and first responders a free hot chocolate and cookie.

Suzette Martinez, 8, in Santa hat, gives first responders free hot chocolate and cookies on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.
Suzette Martinez, 8, in Santa hat, gives first responders free hot chocolate and cookies on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

Luera said Suzy served a few dozen cups throughout the afternoon and as soon as she was done for the day, "she immediately said she wanted to do it again!"

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 8-year-old's hot chocolate stand serves first responders for free