Impactted williamsVideoCharity

Ted Williams, Man With 'Golden Voice,' Starts Foundation For Homeless (VIDEO)

Man With 'Golden Voice' Gives Back
Open Image Modal
By 

Business Reporter, HuffPost

|

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The man with the “golden voice” used his unmistakable gift to escape homelessness and is now using his fame to help others still living on the streets.

After panhandling on the streets for 17 years, Ted Williams’ life took a turn for the better when a reporter from the Columbus Dispatch posted a video of his sultry announcing voice that quickly went viral. Williams has since gotten a contract with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, reunited with his mother, moved into an apartment and is working on kicking his alcohol and drug addictions.

Now that he's gotten back on his feet, Williams wants to make sure that those struggling without shelter, as he once did, get the same chance to start over, NBC reports.

“Some people just really, really look at me with admiration and they’re like, ‘God, if you can do it, I can do it,’” he told the news outlet. “I think, God, if I fail what is that person going to do?”

The determined advocate recently launched the Ted Williams Project, which supports homeless communities by providing basic necessities to shelters and outreach programs, according to the nonprofit’s website. It’s working on paying for such critical items as sheets, towels, mattresses and blankets and also granting “wish-list” items to shelters.

But Williams made a habit of giving back even before he launched his organization. Soon after he became an Internet sensation two years ago, he visited a man with whom he once shared a tent on the streets of Columbus and offered him a wad of cash, according to TMZ.

It’s no surprise that Williams is focusing on helping others change their fate, considering the painful memories of his past are still quite vivid in his mind.

“I thought it was the most degrading thing,” Williams told NBC of how he viewed begging on a highway. “I thought it was the lowest form of homelessness.”

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

States With Highest Child Homelessness
Georgia(01 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Georgia reported 45,566 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Georgia requires a $15.18 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.9 percent of the state's population- 9.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 20 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: seanmorgan)
#9 Florida(02 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Florida reported 83,957 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Florida requires a $20.29 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 14.2 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: Phillip Pessar)
#8 Nevada(03 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Nevada reported 15,243 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.55 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Nevada requires a $19.32 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7 percent of the state's population- 17.5 percent of children are living without health insurance - 15 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: AlishaV)
#7 Louisiana (04 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Louisiana reported 43,488 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Louisiana requires a $15.11 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 9.3 percent of the state's population- 9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 26 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
#6 New Mexico(05 of10)
Open Image Modal
- New Mexico reported 16,262 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.50 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in New Mexico requires a $13.42 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 13.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Justin Brockie)
#5 California(06 of10)
Open Image Modal
- California reported 334,131 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $8 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in California requires a $25.52 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.8 percent of the state's population- 10.7 percent of children are living without health insurance - 18 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: JoeInSouthernCA)
#4 Arizona(07 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Arizona reported 53,129 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arizona requires a $17 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.1 percent of the state's population- 15 percent of children are living without health insurance - 21 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Phillie Casablanca)
#3 Arkansas(08 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Arkansas reported 13,978 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Arkansas requires a $11.50 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 7.7 percent of the state's population- 7.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 25 percent of children are living in poverty (credit: Flickr: pasa47)
#2 Mississippi(09 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Mississippi reported 12,929 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Mississippi requires a $12.74 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 10 percent of the state's population- 13.4 percent of children are living without health insurance - 30 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: davidwilson1949)
#1 Alabama(10 of10)
Open Image Modal
- Alabama reported 28,081 homeless children in 2010- Minimum wage is $7.25 per hour- An average two-bedroom apartment in Alabama requires a $12.59 per hour income- Female-headed households make up 8.1 percent of the state's population- 8.9 percent of children are living without health insurance - 24 percent of children are living in poverty (credit:Flickr: Max Wolfe)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip