The candles are a symbol of the many people who lost their lives to violence, The tea lights a sign of prayers and the incense lifting up those prayers.

Indio resident, Andrea Hecht brought her children, Ben and Charlotte.

She is thinking of those young lives lost in Newtown.

"Having two children myself, I can very much relate to what the families must be going through in Connecticut, and I'm just so thankful for both my children," said Andrea.

Ten-year-old Charlotte is thinking of the families as well.

"I hope there are people in Connecticut that give them support and make them feel better," said Charlotte.

People brought stuffed toys that will be given to local families in need, and said a prayer for those in Newtown.

"Because my heart is so full for all the families that have lost dear ones, young and not so young," said Indian Wells resident, Sheila Tuft.

Holy Innocents Day is always held on December 28th to remember young lives cut short.

"Commemorates the time when Jesus and the holy family escaped to Egypt from Herod who was trying to get rid of political threat by killing all the firstborn children in Israel, and a lot of innocent children lost their lives to violence, and it has particular poignancy this year because of what happened in Connecticut a couple of weeks ago," said Reverend Lane Hensley, rector of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church.

They recited the names of all those that lost their lives in the school shooting in Connecticut.

"I couldn't help think of my own family, and my wonderful grandchildren who are all well and safe, and just the thought of what those families are going through is just horrendous. So I thought, I know that prayer works, it's worked for me all these years, and I wanted to come and say a special prayer for those families," said Rancho Mirage resident, Jan Leigh.