United Way’s campaign to end homelessness has some serious star power behind it this year. Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is the Honorary Chair for the foundation’s annual HomeWalk event this year, a 5K run/walk to raise public awareness and fund solutions to end homelessness.

Over the last four years, 18,000 people have walked to support the end of the severe form of poverty, which affects over 51,000 people in L.A. County alone – 9,000 of which are veterans.

So far in the effort, $1.7 million have been raised and over 9,000 people were assisted in getting off the streets. With Kobe Bryant as Honorary Chair this year, the foundation hopes to raise even more.

HomeWalk will kick off at Exposition Park in front of the Los Angeles Coliseum. Over 5,000 L.A. residents are expected to run and walk for the cause, including other celebrities and notables like Dancing With the Stars contestant and U.S. Veteran J.R. Martinez, United Way of Greater Los Angeles CEO Elise Buik, Ron Thomas (father of Kelly Thomas, the homeless man who was beaten to death in July 2011), and more.

The event will also feature a press opportunity before the walk for the chance to talk with Bryant about his efforts to end homelessness in L.A. County.

For more information, visit www.homewalkla.org.

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