The fifth annual Hope Day got off to a later than usual start Saturday at O’Hara Field in Oakland Beach. It was planned that way and it worked perfectly.

Pastor Matthew McIntosh, site coordinator of the Warwick event hosted by eight local churches and involving more than 100 volunteers, purposely planned for a 1 p.m. opening knowing that the Gaspee Days parade would be in full swing until early afternoon if not later. Usually Hope Day with its wide range of free, family-oriented activities and services starts about 11 a.m.

Promoted on social media and two Oakland Beach flyer drops, almost 700 people visited the event. By 2:30 p.m. the tent featuring free crocs was almost out of the shoes (603 pairs were distributed) , the line for a free lunch (888 were served) was down to two or three and hair salons donating their services had performed almost 30 hair cuts.

McIntosh, pastor of Warwick Hope Assembly of God on Sandy Lane, who navigated between tents in a golf cart voiced his appreciation to the stylists who paused to tell him how grateful people were. It was a common theme wherever McIntosh went.

The local event follows the guidelines of the Hope Day Network, a group that connected 43 Hope Days up and down the Eastern Seaboard with Rhode Island being the mostly northerly Hope Day. Some of the items distributed, including non-perishable food, were provided through the network that offers recommendations to conduct the community outreach events. Other items such as vitamins and back braces distributed from the health care tent were surpluses donated by area businesses. The tent also offered free ultrasounds to pregnant women. Other items distributed were either provided by participating churches or purchased with donations.

Much of the support came from non-religious community groups.

“These are all good-hearted people,” McIntosh said citing how Hope Day has served as a catalyst to bring together organizations sharing a mission to help people.

Volunteers were clearly identifiable by their red shirts.

Community groups and services were invited to participate in Hope Day. They were provided a tent to set up their displays. Close by people could get free family portrait photographs. Live music and performances gave the day an uplifting spirit.

Looking over at an inflated castle, the centerpiece of the kids’ zone, McIntosh said the entire venue was undertaken by SouthPointe Christian Church in Warwick, “even the volunteers.” A total of 720 kids, counting reentries visited the zone.

Before leaving and turning in their entry tickets for bags of food, attendees stopped at the connection tent where they spent three to five minutes face to face with volunteers. They were asked if they wanted prayer and were invited to a free spaghetti dinner and gathering be held in a couple of weeks at Warwick Hope Assembly of God.

“A lot of people have a heavy heart…there are tears of appreciation. They were overwhelmed by kindness,” McIntosh said.

McIntosh’s heart went out to the volunteers and Hope Day partners. “This takes a lot of work for little churches. It’s a lot of extra and they go home worn out. Thank you to everyone,” he said.

Apart for the relationship between churches and the network built by Hope Day, McIntosh said the event inspired the “Light the Night” event Warwick Hope holds on Halloween. “Let’s stop protesting Halloween,” McIntosh said. Light the Night brings people together for a positive sharing experience.

Partner churches included SouthPointe, Christ Church in East Greenwich, North Kingstown Assembly of God, Solid Rock Assemblies of God based in Cranston; Victory Church from Providence; Faith Fellowship of Coventry; Norwood Baptist Church of Warwick and Warwick Hope Assembly of God.