March 29. The Neighborhood CARE Center is  inviting the community to “an encounter with Christ and celebration” on Saturday, April 1.

The event is 2-5 pm at the center, 19711 Smith Circle, Cornelius.

There will be food, fellowship and fun, local churches with gifts, local support agencies, snacks, bounce houses and games.

Manny Rosado

Manny Rosado Jr., director of the center, says about 300 neighbors are expected.

The purpose of the event is to kick off Holy Week with an awareness of the center’s nonprofit partners and area churches. Holy Week this year is Sunday, April 2 to Saturday, April 8. Easter is Sunday, April 9.

“The main reason is to offer neighbors an invitation to an Easter Sunday service from a church that is present at the event,” Rosado said in an email. “The love of Jesus is what we want to communicate.”