A best-selling book written by a Bremerton man who spent several years on the streets is raising awareness for the plight of the homeless and stands to become a perennial holiday topic.

“I didn’t really have a purpose when I wrote the book,” said Richard LiMieux, “but it has ended up putting a face on homelessness. When people read it, they say ‘I’m going to do what I can to make the world a better place by helping at the food bank, or writing a check, or going to the store and buying things for other people they cannot afford.’”

LiMieux brought his message to the monthly meeting of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce on Dec. 10.

“Some of the people who have read the book have been so moved the have gone out of their way to sponsor families,” he said. “So on cold days like this, when it is 9 degrees outside, people are in their homes, where their kids brush their teeth and do their homework, and have a comfortable place to go at night.”

Since LiMieux’s “Breakfast at Sally’s” was published in October 2008, he’s traveled around the country addressing groups large and small, with his firsthand account of his own homelessness.

In broad strokes, he was once successful, with a family, a house and a job.

He lost it all in the economic storm in the early part of the decade, and ended up on the street.

His turning point, which he describes at every appearance, is his brush with suicide.

At his lowest point, he was poised to jump off of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, but climbed down in order to save his dog — which he had left in a locked van.

At each presentation, LiMieux, 66, describes situations he has talked about many times before.

Even so, he comes across as neither slick nor rehearsed. His effectiveness comes not so much from what he says, but the image of a unpretentious, articulate man with a unique tale to tell.

He does not adorn his speech with adjectives, but lets the story speak for itself.

While he had help with editing and organization, he said he wrote the book himself. He is certain that people who take the time to read the book will be moved toward action.

And his interaction with the readership doesn’t stop at the bookstore’s door.

“I’ve put my phone number next to my signature,” he said as he presented a copy of the book to an attendee. “I want you to call me if you have any questions.”

He has crisscrossed the country since the book’s publication and shows no signs of letting up.

A local appearance, however, has added value. During his chamber address he mentioned local resources available to the homeless with respect, and described how he was helped by them specifically.

And he brought along a friend, Bremerton jeweler Kristina Bennett, who had written a song inspired by the book.

To see Bennett perform the song go here.

LiMieux has signed thousands of books since “Breakfast at Sally’s” publication, and asks others to return the favor.

He carries around a single copy of the book with hundreds of signatures, of celebrities and people he meets along the way.

When there’s only enough room for one more signature, he plans to “get Oprah (Winfrey) to sign it, auction it off to the highest bidder and then give that money to the most needy homeless shelter at that time.

“I will be a millionaire some day,” he said. “There is no question about that. When that happens, I will use what I earn to help the Salvation Army.”

LiMieux intends to spread his message as long as people are interested enough to listen.

“We cannot be a great city,” he said, “or call ourselves a great state or a great country or a great nation when we have women and children living on our streets as if we were a Third World country.”