Vigils honor San Bernardino victims, including beloved teacher

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A number of vigils were held for the victims of Wednesday's San Bernardino massacre, including a 46-year-old mother who loved to teach.

The Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts in Troop 6732 bowed their heads in prayer on Saturday in memory of their teacher Bennetta Bet-Badal, one of 14 people killed in the mass shooting.

The Assyrian American Association of Southern California turned its annual Christmas party into a memorial and fundraiser honoring Bet-Badal, and her husband expressed the family's gratitude during a phone call.

"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts," he said.

Bet-Badal drove an hour and a half every week to teach the Assyrian language to the scouts.

"She would always help me because I struggled a lot in her class, and no matter what, she would never let me fall back into lower things," said Tara Maad, one of her students.

Other scouts added that Bet-Badal was a great teacher who never ceased to smile.

Candles were lit to honor all of the shooting victims during a vigil at Granada Hills Charter High School also on Saturday.

About 200 people gathered for the multi-faith service organized by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Muslim Youth of Los Angeles.

"It doesn't matter what your religion is," said Rand Kishawi, a vigil attendee. "We all believe in the same God. Just be good people and be kind."