Community rallies around family of slain woman

Jovanie and Xavier Alcantar didn't know their community had so much heart.
The Youngtown couple is coping with the tragic death of Jovanie's sister, Sabrina, who was slain June 3 and the suspect, her husband Manuel Julio Alcantar, committed suicide the following day. Xavier is Manuel's brother.
The tragedy has struck a chord for many Youngtown residents and employees of the Sun City Fire Department, who have mobilized behind the young couple, who is now caring for Sabrina's three children, aged 10, four and three. A benefit carwash took place Saturday at the KFC near 107th and Grand Avenue to raise money for the family.
"It's amazing all the community support we've been getting the past two weeks. We couldn't ask for a better community to live in," Jovanie said. "Everyone's just come together. It makes me feel really good to know that we have the community's support."
Jovanie and Xavier also have three children, aged 11, eight and two, but knew without a doubt they would care for Sabrina's kids. The companionship of the children is helping them cope, Jovanie said.
"They're as close as brother and sister as they are ever going to get. That was (my husband's) brother and that was my sister. The kids have the same blood running through them," Jovanie said. "They've adjusted very well. They all get along very well."
Jovanie and Xavier now find themselves in need of a larger house to support the six children, but the couple insists they want to stay in Youngtown.
"We want to stay in Youngtown," Xavier said. "We want to stay in Youngtown."
"Everybody's been so supportive. It's made it easier to help get through it," Jovanie said.
Mary Dickinson, community outreach coordinator for the Sun City Fire District, helped set up the carwash and is planning other events to offer as much support as possible for the Alcantars.
"We wanted to help out the family of Sabrina Alcantar. The community got together as far as Youngtown PD, the  mayor, city council and the Sun City Fire Department in helping the efforts," she said. "We felt that in a situation that this family has been involved in we wanted to get the community out there to help this family out and realize we're going to do whatever we can to get them back on their feet to somewhat of a normal lifestyle. The goal is to raise as much money as we can to help them out and make sure these kids are taken care of."
About 20 members of the Sun City Fire Department aided the carwash efforts, along with members of Sabrina Alcantar's family and other community members who wanted to help.
"It's a community effort right now," Dickinson said.
Jovanie said the outpouring of support has been a blessing.
"We're doing all this not just for the tragedy that happened but to bring everyone together. I never thought Youngtown had so much heart. To know that everyone has been so supportive and understanding of the situation, it's good to see," she said.
Dickinson said another carwash will be held soon, likely at one of the fire stations in Sun City.
"Our goal is to keep in contact with the family," she said. "And make sure that we continue to make sure that they're getting back on track."
Other efforts will be held, as well. A fundraiser will be held all day Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 at Peter Piper Pizza on 91st Avenue and Peoria. Fifteen percent of all food and beverage sales will benefit the Sabrina Alcantar Memorial Fund. The fund must be mentioned when ordering food to qualify.
Donations may also be dropped off at any Bank of America branch to the Sabrina Alcantar Memorial Fund.