OAKLAND (KRON)—It’s tough to find a more popular athlete worldwide than Stephen Curry.

But even in the Bay Area, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard ranks at the top.

On Saturday, the Oakland native invited his old neighborhood out to a barbecue and free fun and games.

An event KRON4’s Philippe Djegal reports is going four years strong now.

A two-time NBA all-star, once unanimously voted the NBA’s rookie of the year.

“Not too many black people come back to they communities nowadays, so it means a lot, ” said Quanya Turner.

Damian Lillard is an unquestioned star.

“We need more people like this in our community that’s wonderful,” one resident said.

A star who refuses to forget where he’s from.

“He rep that zero that’s for Oakland,” said Oakland resident Chris Randel. “It means a lot. He’s saying a lot, but he ain’t even got to open his mouth.”

But he’s opening up his wallet.

“More than $30,000,” said Oakland city council member Delaney Brooks.

For the past four years, Lillard has teamed up with Brooks, holding a free community picnic and backpack giveaway at Brookfield Park.

“It’s about community, its about appreciating where you come from, its about dreams making sure that these young kids in this community know they can reach the heights that he has,” Brooks said.

The zip line among the most popular attractions, but there’s more.

Horseback riding, free haircuts, jump-rope, hula hoop and of course free food all in Lillard’s old stomping grounds.

His mother Gina Johnson grew up in Oakland, too.

“It’s real important for him to come here, to these domains, right here and give back to the people, you know, that he love the most,” Johnson said.

Damian Lillard spoke to KRON4 about why he has been doing this for the past four years.

“These are people that showed you love and help you on the way up, so you gotta make sure when you can you come back and pick people up and inspire people and help people and show them that love that they showed you before people knew who you was,” Lillard said.

Proving a little hope can go a long way.

“I’m in a group home right now bad situations,” said Joseph White. “Its just cool to be out here right now — I used to come to this park when I was a youngster, so its just coo.”