Church’s fun in the sun

Published 11:15 pm Tuesday, July 3, 2007

EVERETT – Ron Pimentel planned to be up early this morning, getting ready for a busy day at his church.

No, there aren’t worship services on July 4. Pimentel is one of three coordinators of the Fun in the Sun street fair run by First Baptist Church of Everett.

The street fair, which follows the Everett Jaycees Independence Day Parade, is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. today on Wetmore Avenue between Pacific Avenue and 32nd Street.

The event includes live music, lots of kids activities and free treats. The church, with more than 50 volunteers involved, expects as many as 3,000 people to attend the street fair.

It’s the type of event an inner-city church such as First Baptist should do for its community, Pimentel said.

“The street fair is a place for families to go for a good, safe time,” he said.

And it’s rewarding for all the volunteers involved, Pimentel said. “It gives our congregation an opportunity to provide for and reach out to the community, and it gives individuals like me a chance to give back to Everett.”

Pimentel, 45, of Marysville is the owner of a Snap-on Tools franchise with a route in south Everett. He has been active at First Baptist Church for most of the past 12 years. On Sundays he serves as an usher and a media technician, taking care of sound and video duties.

Gloria Love, acting worship director at the church, said Pimentel is someone that others count on.

“He’s unflappable and always goes with the flow,” she said. “When Ron’s involved, it’s all good.”

Pimentel grew up in Seattle, not deeply involved in his church or in volunteering in any way, he said. As a young man, though, he was involved as an adult-league softball coach. That’s how he met Cindy Reeves, who was a friend of a friend.

Cindy had grown up at the Everett church, and after they married, the Pimentels decided to raise their children at the church. Alexandra is now 9 years old and Raymond is 7.

“After my kids were born, I knew it was time to give back to the church and my community,” Pimentel said. “The kids see their active parents and that’s just how life is. We’re contributors. There’s lots to be a part of at church.”

First Baptist Church of Everett is active in a variety of ministries in downtown Everett, he said, including programs for all ages at its new community center, a Tuesday night recovery program and a Friday night street ministry that offers meals to homeless residents of the area.

The church spends thousands of dollars on its street fair, with a large portion of that going for food, he said.

Last week Pimentel was busy buying and stocking supplies for the coffee, popcorn, snow cone and cotton candy machines. With food service work in his background, overseeing the serving of treats at the street fair is a natural for him, Pimentel said.

After a nine-hour volunteer shift setting up, running and tearing down the Fun in the Sun street fair booths today, Pimentel figured he would be ready to relax.

“I’ll be tired, but feeling grateful that we did something for others on July 4,” he said. “We’re not just a Sunday church.”

Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.