Kobe Bryant To Serve As Honorary Chair Of 6th Annual HomeWalk To End Homelessness In L.A. County -- November 17

WHAT:

Part of United Way's campaign to end poverty in L.A. County, HomeWalk is a 5K run/walk to raise public awareness and fund solutions to end homelessness, an extreme form of poverty. Over the last five years, 28,000 people have walked, raising $2.2M and helping move over 12,000 people off the streets and into housing. This year, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation will match every donation of $100 or more, driving expected record donations from the Walk.

For the second consecutive year, Kobe Bryant is Honorary Chair for HomeWalk, which will take place at Exposition Park in front of the Los Angeles Coliseum.

WHY/STATS:            

L.A. County remains the Homeless Capital of the nation, with 51,000 living without homes.

• 40% of the homeless are women and children; 24% are chronically homeless
• 62% of the homeless population are unsheltered, living on the streets or in cars
• Local families now represent the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population
• Permanent housing with supportive services has a proven success rate of 85%

WHO:               

Over 10,000 L.A. residents running and walking to help end homelessness, including the following expected celebrities and officials:

• L.A. Laker Kobe Bryant (2012 Honorary Chair)
• JR Martinez, US Veteran, Actor and Author
• Mark Valley and Jon Huertas, Actors
• Bea Cohen, a 102 year-old WWII Veteran
• Elise Buik, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Los Angeles
• Local and state officials

WHEN:               

Saturday, November 17, 2012

• 7:00 a.m. Registration
• 8:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony
• 9:00 a.m. Run/walk begins

WHERE:                    

Exhibition Park

700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles

BCAST VISUALS:

• Opening remarks and ceremonies
• Over 6,000 walkers and runners starting the 5K
• Various stops along the walk that illustrate homelessness in L.A. County