MANSFIELD — Unity in the community is more than a phrase to the Oasis of Love Church congregation.
The church, led by Senior Pastor Raymond Cochran Jr., will again put those words into actions Saturday with the 8th annual Oasis of Love Block Party/Community Fair.
“Unity in all communities is what this event is all about,” Cochran said. “We get people coming in from all around Mansfield, Richland County and even Ashland County.
“Praise God, that’s what the design of this event has always been — unity,” he said.
The free event will be from noon to 4 p.m. at the 190 Chester Ave. church.
It is offered in memory of Dr. Walter E. Jordan II, the church’s former pastor and founder of the popular gathering.
“Dr. Walter had the vision that the church needs to give back to the community and that’s what we continue to do,” Cochran said.
(Photos below were taken at previous Oasis of Love Church Block Party/Community Fair events and were submitted here by the church.)
Every element of the event is free, including book bags and school supplies for students in grades K-12.
“We also will have free haircuts for children. Free food, prizes and other giveaways will be available for everyone,” Cochran said.
photos from the 2023 oasis of love church block party/community fair
“The event has grown over the years. This year, we are proud to partner with the Matthew 25 Outreach Center, which will be donating 1,000 pounds of free produce to the community,” the pastor said.
“We also have partnered with The New Store, which will offer parents the opportunity to sign their child up for free clothing for the upcoming school year,” he said.
“The Cleveland Clinic is coming down to offer free cancer screenings to the community,” Cochran said.
For more information about the event, call the church office at 419-524-0344.