Actor Will Smith to Read Bedtime Stories for World’s Big Sleep out Campaign to Fight Homelessness

Will Smith and Helen Mirren will be reading bedtime stories for the "World"s Big Sleepout," a global fundraising event for the homeless. Smith and Miren will be reading from separate cities during the one-day outdoor slumber event.

The “World’s Big Sleepout” will be held on December 7 and Will Smith is one of the celebrities who’ll be reading a bedtime story during the fundraising event.

Smith will tell his story at New York’s Times Square as people from 50 cities around the world spend the night outdoors in order to raise money to fight global homelessness.

The sleep-out is expected to raise $50 million and will also feature live performances. Other major cities like Chicago, Amsterdam, Madrid, New Delhi, and Los Angeles will also be participating.

"...at least 100 million people are homeless globally based on a 2005 survey conducted by the United Nations. As much as 1.6 billion people were recorded to lack adequate housing."

Along with the “Aladdin” actor, dame Helen Mirren will also be reading bedtime stories. She’ll be hushing people to sleep at London’s Trafalgar Square.

Speaking about the affair, the British actress stressed its relevance.

“Homelessness on our streets is a real problem in the UK and for many nations throughout the world. The “World’s Big Sleep Out” campaign will play an important role in shining the political spotlight on the issues of homelessness and displacement whilst raising considerable funds to make a big difference.”

One of the event’s organizers, Josh Littlejohn who’s responsible for previous Sleep in the Park events in Scotland hopes this year’s sleep out “will be a Live Aid for the homelessness issue.”

“One of the objectives is to really create a sense of political urgency around this issue. Also for people to leave with a change in perspective and an increased sense of compassion. There is still too much stigma around homelessness,” he explained.

According to The Homeless World Cup Foundation in an article featured by sharing.org, at least 100 million people are homeless globally based on a 2005 survey conducted by the United Nations. As much as 1.6 billion people were recorded to lack adequate housing.

With the “World’s Big Sleepout,” it is expected that these numbers will diminish as 50% of the proceeds will go to homelessness charities and the remaining 50% to displaced individuals.