A Suffolk church will host a community event to honor and support its military community and provide fun and games for families.

Military Appreciation Community Day at Saint Mary Church of God in Christ, 3637 Nansemond Parkway, will be free and open to the public this Saturday. Children will play games and win prizes, get their faces painted, savor popcorn and cotton candy and check out a firetruck provided by the Suffolk Department of Fire & Rescue.

“It’s a huge community event,” said event coordinator and church member, Maj. Barbara Kagler.

In honor of Veterans Day, numerous vendors will be on site to provide resources to both active and retired military. Representatives from Aviation Institute of Maintenance, the U.S. Army Recruiting Center in Suffolk and Virginia Employment Commission’s Veteran Services will be among those providing information and guidance.

Kagler, an Army acquisitions officer, said the primary goal of the event is to educate military men and women on resources that can help them and their families.

“Speaking from a commander perspective, you have young soldiers that — a lot of times — are not aware that resources are available,” she said. “That’s the most important portion of the event. The vendors will be able to educate what they offer based on length of service and background.”

Dr. Dwight Nixon, pastor at Saint Mary Church of God in Christ, organized his congregation’s military appreciation service in honor of his military members and those in the community, Kagler said.

She said Nixon has military family and a desire to help others connected to service, whether they’re active duty, retired or just family like him.

“We just want to say thank you to the military in our community,” Kagler said.

The event will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 636-5879 for more information.