Singer John Mellencamp stopped by the annual Tent City weekend in Downtown Toledo

TOLEDO, OH -- Singer John Mellencamp kicked off the the opening of the annual Tent City project in Downtown Toledo, helpling area leaders raise awareness about the homeless.

Mellencamp made his visit prior to a Friday night performance at the Seagate Center.   He said the real stars were the homeless people who get to spend the weekend getting pampered and prepared for winter.

Volunteers gathering for the annual Tent City project at the Downtown Mall between the Lucas County Jail and the Toledo police headquarters.

"Homelessness is a rising issue in our community with the loss of jobs and just recently we found out that 700 workers on the third shift at chrysler lost their jobs.  That could mean foreclosure and eventually homelessness, said Richard Langford, fromt he Toledo Area Alliance to end Homelessness.

At Tent City homeless people can eat, get haircuts, and have medical and dental check-ups.

"When they come here they can get pretty much prepared for the winter time, we have donations of hats, coats, gloves here for them, said Langford.

Mellencamp stopped by after being invited by organizers ation to check out tent city.

"I think it's a fantastic thing that the city is doing, to show some compassion to people who need compassion," Mellencamp said.

mellencamp performed a few songs and handed out 68 free tickets for his concert.

Activites continue at Tent City  Saturday and Sunday.   On Sunday, there will be a celebrity pancake breakfast - celebrities will be cooking and serving pancakes to the homeless.  NBC24's Michael Schlesinger will be one of those helping out