Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant will receive the Bill Sharman Humanitarian Award at the 8th annual Toberman Neighborhood Center charity gala for their countless hours of dedication to improving the lives of youths and families in need, both domestically and globally through sports, education and cultural enrichment.
This year’s gala will be held at the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes on April 4th, 2015. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one of the NBA’s greatest stars.
We are extremely excited that Kobe and Vanessa have accepted and will be honored this year,” said Joyce Sharman, widow of Bill Sharman and event producer. “‘Our theme, ‘Dedicated to a Lifetime of Excellence, is not only representative of Kobe and Vanessa’s philanthropic achievements, but the view we share at Toberman about how we all can give back and make a difference.”
Lakers president Jeanie Buss will present the award, alongside Lakers television broadcaster Stu Lantz who will serve as master of ceremonies. Not only will the event focus on the philanthropic efforts of the Bryants, but will also celebrate Toberman’s 112 years of community service. Toberman Neighborhood Center is one of the oldest community nonprofits in Los Angeles.
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The award is named after Lakers legend and former coach Bill Sharman, who is one of only three people to be named to the NBA Hall of Fame as a player and coach. Past gala honorees include John Wooden, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Bill Walton, James Worthy, Vin Scully, Louis Zamperini and Tommy Lasorda.
For more information or to purchase tickets for the gala, click here or head over to to www.toberman.org/gala.
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