PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Legendary Flyers goalie Bernie Parent will act as honorary chairman next week at a special gala to benefit the homeless in Philadelphia.

Bernie Parent says he was once like a lot of other people who felt some contempt for the homeless he saw on the streets. But then he says he found out about the Bethesda Project which helps 6,000 homeless people in Philadelphia every year. He says he began to understand.

“Whether it’s physical, psychological, whatever, there’s a reason why they’re in the situation that they’re in. And, once you understand the process, that’s when you put your hand out and say, ‘can I help you’ instead of judging,” said Parent.

Hear Karin Phillips’ entire interview with Bernie Parent and Bethesda Project Founder Father Dominic Rossi in this CBS Philly Podcast…

Bethesda Project will hold a special auction and gala on Tuesday where Parent will announce his support. For more information, visit www.bethesdaproject.org.

Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio