CommunityHope 2006

Carmelo Estino of York shivered and yowled to show his reaction to four years of winters in York without a coat. He smiled, then munched a free hot dog Saturday with his 8-year-old grandson, Steven Alvarez. He finally has a coat. It fits. It was free.
Estino also selected a pink flowered blanket and clothes for his wife. He found it all at Saturday's festive Community Hope Day sponsored by The Pentecostals of York.
The east York congregation took over the parking lot of Angel Cycle World in the 600 block of West Market Street. They set up a stage for youth performances, placed an awning over free food, filled tables with like-new winter clothing and gave away 146 new blankets.
Balloons bobbed. The scent of roasting hot dogs drew people to the grill. Most people arrived on foot; some pushed strollers.
“This is the first community event,” Jerry Tipton, senior pastor at the church, said. “We are excited to be getting the kids and people here.”
The 38-year-old church holds four services a week, one in Spanish with Hispanic music led by Robert Pichardo, assistant pastor, and three in English led by Tipton. People who attend a service in a language they can’t speak are given headsets so they can hear a person in back of the church translating.
“We want to bridge the gap between the church and community,” Pichardo’s wife, Rebecca, said. “We want to reach out.”
Brenda Henney of York learned of the events from a flier at the Princess Street neigborhood community police post. Her shopping cart was full. Her daughter was busy at the far end of the table.
“I have found a lot for my grandchildren,” Henney said. “It’s a good idea. My daughter and I will go back home and bring in things that we have.”
Meanwhile, three students on the stage finished a skit to applause. Angel Martinez’s congas waited for his next musical rendition. At noon, the Majesticks, church teens, were performing a dowel rod interpretive movement performance.
“This is a beginning,” Tipton said, looking around. “It’s what we are here for. We are finally doing what we are supposed to do.”