Saturday, October 3, 2026
Freeport residents came together for a special community barbecue hosted by local organization Sports, Empowerment, Leadership Academy, or SELA, earlier this month. The warm South Shore weather and welcoming environment made the event a hit for many attendees.
Husband and wife James “Jamie” and Theresa Aydelott, the founders and leaders of SELA, hosted the barbecue on Aug. 16 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Freeport’s Stevens Street. While providing families and community members with the chance to enjoy some free food and entertainment and learn about their organization, the Aydelotts also used the event as an opportunity to highlight the need for Martin Luther King Jr. Park to get some refurbishment.
“We want to bring the community together for a summer celebration, witness the programs SELA offers, and, after they see some of the disrepair in the park, they can help us pressure Nassau County to fund the needed repairs,” James said.
Specifically, the damaged and outdated bathrooms and cracked, poorly-kept floors of the basketball courts at Martin Luther King Jr. Park need significant attention, according to James.
Benjamin Jackson, the Freeport Chamber of Commerce president and a candidate for a Nassau County legislator seat, was a part of the volunteer effort at the barbecue. He says he hopes to see further resources used to address the park’s issues.
“They need the basketball courts done and the bathrooms,” he said. “So, we’re hoping to draw a little attention to it. The mayor said he’s working on getting some grant money for it, so, hopefully, it comes to fruition.”
James estimates that it will take about $250,000 to adequately update and address the park’s infrastructure.
SELA hopes that it can continue their annual summer basketball camp at Martin Luther King Jr. Park and be able to add more programs, such as a robust basketball tournament. This year the summer camp was from June 27 to Aug. 6. The organization also plans to make the community barbecue an annual tradition.
SELA has also partnered with the Roosevelt Union Free School District for multiple programs year round, including taking students to Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale to see the PGA Championships.
“I don’t believe in leaving kids behind,” James said. “I believe in a higher power, and I want to be able with God [to hear Him] say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.’”
Theresa shared similar passions for community service and helping others.
“Jamie and I, our parents didn’t have resources, but they made sure that every kid on the block had a safe place to play, and found community things for them to be involved in,” she detailed. “So, later on, Jamie and I met up, and we had those same drives to definitely give back to the community.”
