On the morning of Saturday November 17,2007, I awoke at 8 AM, got dressed and made the necessary arrangements to exit my front door and enter the cold world outside.

I was about to attend a yearly event that takes place around the holiday season to aid the homeless and financially unfortunate with gifts, clothes, toys, and even dog food.

I arrived in downtown Sacramento and drove to the Union Gospel Mission; another one of the many organizations located in Sacramento in its fight to end homeless and poverty.

At the Mission,there were at least 75 to 100 people already waiting in line. I met up with someone I knew that was already in line. Periodically a yellow school bus with the words Capital Christian Center on the sides stopped at the entrance and let a busload of people off.

While waiting in line an assortment of conversations ensued about family, friends, last years event, sleeping bags, people cutting in line and what food might be served and what band was playing in the event.

At 10 AM the gates opened and people made their way to the entrance in a double line. Volunteers for Capital Christian Church greeted everyone as they passed out name badges, a raffle and lunch ticket and a giant bag for all to carry their gifts in. As each volunteer handed each person an item they would say hi to the individual and calling them by the name found on their tag.

Inside the concourse there were different tables set up with items on them such as books, toys, grooming kits, a nail salon station, free haircut booth, and even special holiday themed photos were taken.

Inside the Mission there was a room full of clothing, shoes, blankets, pillows for anyone that lacked decent clothing to find employment or attend church.

At 11 AM the christian blues band Machaira took to the stage and greeted the packed audience. As the opening commencement was taking place, the sun came out and cleared away the dew of the morning fog. Even the lead singer commented on the sun coming out as a sign of peace and good times to follow.

While Machaira jammed onstage (and at times offstage) people milled around the concourse carrying their bags, eating popcorn, nachos, sipping on coffee and hot chocolate. Kids roamed around gleefully, going on a few small kiddie rides and playing with their friends.

At lunch time the band took a quick break while the lunch line made their way into the cafeteria. The food was quite healthy and the volunteers were very helpful.

At 2 PM Machaira finished their set and the raffle began. A man resembling comic writer Larry David(Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm) took the stage and started calling out raffle ticket numbers. On the raffle prize list were sleeping bags, Emergency Pro flashlight kits, tents, transport carts, and a few brand new mountain and kids bikes.

The excitement was in the air as each number was read revealing a winner. Most people were hoping on winning the mountain bikes or tents. The fortunate ones that did win the bikes were excited, especially the little girl that won the kiddie bike at the end of the raffle.

After the raffle and event concluded I took my newly won cart and Emergency Pro flashlight and went back to my car. Buses came and picked up people, taking them back to where they came from. Despite the living conditions for most of these people, there were plenty of good spirits and good vibes amongst all, without fighting and confrontation. It was good to see that people still cared for each other.