Miriam Diaz shows off one of the artworks at the Celebration of Life event at Libby Lake Park. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
OCEANSIDE–Hundreds of families gathered Saturday at Libby Lake Community Park in Oceanside to take back their community from gang violence.
The 4th annual Celebration of Life community event celebrated the lives of two teens, Melanie Virgen and Edgar Sanchez, who were fatally shot to death in 2013 in the park by gang members.
Organizers created the event to provide a positive environment for families living in the Libby Lake community. “ Free pizzas, hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones and popcorn were served to families at the event.
Activities included a bounce house, raffles, demonstrations by the K-9 Unit of the Oceanside Police Department, karate demonstration, soccer tournament, mural presentation,
Community organizations on-site included the Oceanside Public Library’s “Adelante” bookmobile, Neighborhood Services, Vista Community Clinic’s Project REACH Youth Development Program, Mira Costa College, Job Corps, Interfaith Community Services, the Trauma Intervention Program, Vista Community Clinic, North Coast Public Health Center, San Diego Futures Foundation, S.O.S (Save Our Streets), North County Health Services, AmeriCorps NCCC, and Las Valientes.
World Tuned Radio, an internet radio station based in Oceanside, provided live entertainment.
