The seventh annual Garden State Equality Walk was held at Kennedy Park Saturday, and this year's focus was on supporting those affected by the attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

About 400 people took part in the event.

"The community here is supporting and celebrating and honoring the lives that were lost," says Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino. "And I think it speaks to the values of the LGBT community, love and respect."

Strangers along the Asbury Park boardwalk applauded as hundreds of people marched, carrying rainbow flags and carrying signs showing each of the 49 victims in the Orlando's attack.

Salvatore Barcia, an event promoter for Pulse Nightclub, drove 18 hours from Orlando to be a part of Saturday's benefit.

"Walking into Pulse was like walking into Christmas dinner," he says. "Everyone was friendly, everyone was amazing and it's unfortunate that when you walk in there you know all these people, and actually five of those people who passed were people who I would see regularly when I went out."

Barcia says he has been humbled by the outpouring of support from across the world, and already saw firsthand how many of the donations are already helping the victim's families.

News 12 is told that more than $20,000 was raised Friday night at another event in Asbury Park to benefit the victims in the Orlando massacre.