Thousands expected in downtown Phoenix for Hopefest

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - It's a need so great that people wait patiently for hours.

"I lined up at one o'clock in the evening, yesterday, and stayed all night," Beverly Ilunga said.

It's so Beverly and others from her group home could take advantage of Hopefest's dental care cleanings, X-rays, root canals and dentures.

All are provided for free to those who couldn't afford it otherwise.

"I wanted to get my client in," Beverly said. "He had never been. He just moved into our group home and hasn't seen a dentist in a year."

This part of the event starts Friday, but tomorrow, Hopefest co-founder Billy Thrall says there won't only be these services, but hundreds more.

"Everybody who cares puts their ego and logo aside for the day and decides 'Let's make one festival feeling kind of day for people,'" he said.

Over 25,000 people are expected for Saturday's event, where they'll get free medical care, food, housing, clothes and even haircuts.

Over 2,000 volunteers will join about 200 community agencies in donating their time.

"Most people who don't have insurance, they don't go to the doctor, or if they do, they go to the emergency room, which is super-expensive for all of us," Thrall said.

With the need for this type of care continuing to grow year by the year, Hopefest organizers say they are devoted to grow with it.

For more information on the event at Chase Field, click here.