VERO BEACH — With his now instantly recognizable “golden voice,” guest speaker Ted Williams related a tale of homelessness to redemption, speaking to approximately 160 guests at the Soup, Soap and Salvation benefit dinner at the Oak Harbor Clubhouse Saturday night.
Publix Supermarkets and George E. Warren Corporation sponsored the cost of the dinner, ensuring that all contributions would directly benefit programs and services offered by the Salvation Army of Indian River County.
Two anonymous donors pledged and would match up to $10,000 each in contributions received that evening.
“Funds raised at this dinner help support us through the rest of the year and help with our summer camps,” said John Corapi, development director.
“Helping to prevent homelessness is the theme of tonight’s dinner. We try to help prevent people from getting into that type of situation with counseling and utility assistance.”
“When I saw this I thought, isn’t it wonderful that when someone is down and out, someone else recognizes his talent and puts him in front of the public eye,” said Jane Fini as guests mingled and awaited Williams’ arrival. “I’m always happy to hear of people succeeding.”
“The Salvation Army is in this community to help others,” said Major Sam Van Denberg at the start of the dinner. He and wife Veronica are commanding officers of the local Salvation Army.
In a video testimonial and speaking directly to guests, a grateful Billy Wallace related how the organization’s Adult Rehabilitation Center helped him recover from an addiction to drugs and alcohol.
“I know from personal experience that they do great things for the community,” said Wallace. “Most of all, they help to save lives.”
Introducing Williams, Sam Van Denberg described him as, “A voice and personality all wrapped up in one. It’s a voice with character.”
Williams opened with a radio station promo demonstration and said, “There were a lot of people who thought that this voice was a fluke.”
After an early radio career, Williams’ life spiraled into decline through an addiction to drugs and alcohol, jail sentences and a life on the streets.
His vocal talents were rediscovered while pan-handling on the streets of Columbus, Ohio holding a sign which said in part, “I have a God given gift of voice. I am an ex-radio announcer who has fallen on hard times.”
A video taken at his usual street-corner by Doral Chenoweth of the Columbus Dispatch quickly went viral and Williams’ life spun in quite a different direction – taking him on a whirlwind circuit of national media appearances.
With newfound fame came additional struggles, but Williams said he will have achieved two years of sobriety in May.
“I’m staying clean one day at a time; sometimes it’s one minute at a time.”
In a voice choked with emotion, Williams spoke of waiting with his nine children for the Salvation Army Meals on Wheels truck saying, “My kids couldn’t even tell time, but they would know what time that truck would come. It is a very valuable resource for the guy who has nowhere else to go. I can’t tell you how thankful I am.”
Prior to the conclusion of the dinner, advisory board president Jeff Smith presented Mary Babcock with a Lifetime Membership award for her steadfast support of the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the Universal Christian Church, provides a variety of ministries and programs including food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
