Friends and family of longtime Lawrence resident Kent Smalter are having a “Walterpalooza” in his honor on Sunday.

Smalter, 58, received a diagnosis of ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2004. It’s a neurological disease that causes progressive muscular atrophy.

“He is remarkable,” said his younger sister Janet Smalter, Lawrence. “His spirit is inspiring. He is very limited in the use of his legs and arms, so he can walk maybe one or two steps and he can still bring a fork to his mouth, but he’s pretty limited.”

Kent is unable to drive, and it has become difficult for anyone to transport him around town because he is unable to get out of a chair on his own. He needs a used wheelchair-accessible vehicle, which typically costs between $18,000 and $42,000.

That’s where the Walterpalooza comes in. The benefit will be from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at Liberty Hall, 644 Mass.

“It’s going to be real fun,” Janet said.

There will be live music, bingo with various prizes, a potluck dinner, and a silent auction of more than 100 items. There also will be a runway show of T-shirts from past Lawrence hot spots that will be up for auction.

The cost to attend is a donation at the door, and everyone is encouraged to bring a dish to share for the potluck dinner.

P.J. Karlin, a longtime friend of Kent, said it would be a reunion of sorts, bringing together family, friends and the Lawrence community. He said dozens of people already have donated gifts and time to the event.

“It’s heartwarming because all of these people come together, and it really gives you a sense of what community really is and what we have here in Lawrence,” he said, getting a little emotional. “It’s a big town, but it’s still a small town, too.”

Karlin met Kent when they were both Kansas University students in the early ’70s.

“We were hippies together,” he said, laughing.

“Years ago, I named him Walter because, you know, Walter Smalter, you can’t beat that. It came out of the blue and it took off. I am not sure if he appreciates that or not.”

Karlin described his friend as kind and compassionate with a good sense of humor. When Karlin was ill about eight years ago with cancer, Kent was there for him.

“He was my nurse and my mother hen. He took care of me,” he said.

Now, he just wants to return the favor and help in any way possible.

“Anytime someone comes down with a debilitating disease like that, it’s difficult,” Karlin said. “He’s hanging in there. In a situation like that, we could only hope that everyone would have such a positive attitude.”