Template.persons.helpers({ people: function(){ var people = People.find({}).fetch(); // People is a Collection return people }, selectedPerson: function(){ if(this._id === Session.get("SelectedPerson")._id) return "alert alert-info" } }); Template.persons.events({ "click .person-detail-alert": function(event, template){ var person = this; alert("You clicked "+ person.name); Session.set("SelectedPerson", person); } })