Ted Williams, former homeless who has become known as the “Man With the Golden Voice,” is scheduled to speak at Operation Safety Net in Portsmouth, Nov. 14, 2012, at 7 p.m.

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Portia Williams

PDT Staff Writer

Ted Williams, a formerly homeless man now known as the, “Man with the Golden Voice,” will speak at Operation Safety Net, The Scioto County Homeless Shelter Homeless Rally, Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 7 - 8 p.m. in conjunction with National Hunger and Homeless Week. The rally will be held on the front porch of the shelter, located at 615 Eighth Street in Portsmouth.

Williams will share the story of his life as homeless person on the streets of Columbus, Ohio.

Maureen Cadogan, Executive Director of the Scioto County Homeless Shelter, said she is looking forward to the event.

Cadogan said the shelter will continue to host rallies to heighten awareness about homelessness and to help people realize that it can happen to anyone.

“We want to continue to have the homeless rallies each year to raise awareness about homelessness,” Cadogan said. “Many people are just a few paychecks away from being homeless. During the week of Nov. 11-17, we are requesting that individuals and families place two cents into a jar or container when they sit down to eat dinner. At the end of the week, take your container to the shelter. It may seem like a lot, but collectively we can make a difference if we all do our part.”

Friday Nov. 16, is “Skip A Meal Day,” which the shelter is asking people to pack a lunch, in lieu of purchasing lunch that day. The idea is to take the money that would be spent on lunch and donate it to the homeless shelter to benefit the homeless and hungry population in the area.

The Homeless Rally will also include the Portsmouth High School Show Choir, ‘Expressions’, that will perform two selections during the rally.

Cadogan said that as is her custom, she has extended an invitation to the mayor and other city and county officials.

Cadogan said she and her staff at Operation Safety Net’s Homeless Shelter will continue to work to get people off the streets of Portsmouth.

“We will reach out to the homeless population, one person at a time,” Cadogan said.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com