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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Community Appreciation Day on Main Street, which emphasized diversity and growth, brought about 100 people out to enjoy music, food, an inspirational message and the opportunity to familiarize themselves with local businesses and resources on Sunday.</p><p>The brainchild of Angel Jirau, executive director of Spanish American Leaders Serving All, the event is in its second year, and attendees, many Latino, said they enjoyed the opportunity to simply start a dialogue and share a meal with others.</p><p>Camilo Leon said he was participating as a member of Fountain of Salvation Church, which has both Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre locations.</p><p>Leon, of Hazleton, said he was attending the event to be a blessing to the community.</p><p>&#8220;This is how we can stand against drugs, racism and crime,&#8221; he said. &#8220;By coming together.&#8221;</p><p>His pastor, Alesandro Castelnoble, prayed in Spanish, with an interpreter, for unity and safety for members of the community.</p><p>Lissette Dishmey, bilingual admissions recruiter from Luzerne County Community College, was also available to provide information to those interested in furthering their education.</p><p>&#8220;Our goal is to reach out to the growing Hispanic population and other minorities in the Wilkes-Barre area,&#8221; she said. &#8220;We provide quality education in an accessible and affordable manner.&#8221;</p><p>Sandy Wheeler, manager of Community Bank, said the business was out for a second year as a show of support to the community.</p><p>&#8220;We want to show our customers that we appreciate them,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Many participating businesses were handing out small gifts bearing their logos, which delighted children, who got to enjoy a lollipop or new toy.</p><p>Audaliza Numes, of La Villa Restaurant, said the business participated in the event as a show of support to customers and to draw new customers.</p><p>&#8220;We want to provide authentic Latino food to everyone,&#8221; she said.</p><p>The Wilkes-Barre Fire Department personnel were also on hand with the department&#8217;s fire safety house.</p><p>&#8220;Even if this saves one life, it&#8217;s worth it,&#8221; said Assistant Chief John Ostrum. &#8220;And the kids have a lot of fun.&#8221;</p><p>Jirau looked out over the festival and deemed it a success.</p><p>&#8220;We were able to provide nourishment for people not just for the stomach but for their minds and spirits,&#8221; he said. &#8220;People are sitting together and finding out they have a lot in common.&#8221;</p><p>Jirau said in spite of challenging times, both locally and nationally, he was confident a partnership between community leaders, businesses and residents would make a long-term positive impact.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Alejandro Castlenoble, pastor of the Fountain of Salvation church, and church member Camilo Leon say a prayer over the community. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Alejandro Castlenoble, pastor of the Fountain of Salvation church, and church member Camilo Leon say a prayer over the community. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Ramon Gonzalez, 79, of Silver Springs, Md., relaxes in the shade. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation3.jpg</photo1><caption1>Ramon Gonzalez, 79, of Silver Springs, Md., relaxes in the shade. </caption1><photoCredit1>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Edgar Rivera, a member of the Fountain of Salvation church, cooks hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation4.jpg</photo2><caption2>Edgar Rivera, a member of the Fountain of Salvation church, cooks hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. </caption2><photoCredit2>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Luz Ramos, 50, of Hazleton, sings a Spanish worship song titled &#8216;Te Doy Mil Gracias&#8217; at Community Appreciation Day in the South Main Street Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/web1_TTL080116appreciation1.jpg</photo3><caption3>Luz Ramos, 50, of Hazleton, sings a Spanish worship song titled &#8216;Te Doy Mil Gracias&#8217; at Community Appreciation Day in the South Main Street Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. </caption3><photoCredit3>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit3></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>ggibbons@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Community appreciation event in Wilkes-Barre emphasizes diversity