Released 15 November 2008
Coach Grant Teaff, The Salvation Army of Waco's Honorary Kettle Chairman,
will officially launch the 2008 Red Kettle Campaign for McLennan County, by
dropping the first donation in the Red Kettle, Saturday, November
15th at the Baylor vs. A&M game. But, the symbolic Red
Kettle may look a little different that day - the largest Red Kettle will be
displayed in the end zone during the game.
Mr. Grant Teaff is most well-known for his time as coach at Baylor
University from 1972-1992. He was named the conference Coach of the Year 6
times and in 1974 was national Coach of the year. He was chosen 12 times to
coach in post-season all-star games. Teaff's outstanding career as a college
coach has placed him in eight Halls of Fame, including the Texas Sports Hall of
Fame, and the College Football Hall of Fame. He won 170 football games, two
Southwest Conference Championships, coached in 20 post season bowls and
all-star games. He was Coach of the Year six times in the Southwest Conference,
and received National Coach of the Year Awards from the American Football
Coaches Association and the Football Writers Association. In 2006, Teaff was
honored with the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award, one of the highest honors a coach can
receive from the AFCA. After retiring from coaching in 1993, Teaff became
executive director of the American Football Coachers Association, located here
in Waco.
"We continually see increased demand for our services and the annual Red
Kettle Campaign is a major reason why we are able to provide assistance to
thousands of individuals in our community," said Captain Russell Czajkowski,
Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of Waco. "We have been privileged over
the years to have Baylor University allow us continued support, and we are
pleased that Coach Teaff has agreed to help us kick off the 2008 campaign."
The campaign will run from Monday, November 17th through
Christmas Eve, December 24th. For many, the ringing of Salvation
Army Christmas bells announces the beginning of the Christmas season. The
Salvation Army's, Red Kettle Drive taking place in storefronts and malls across
the area, is the oldest annual charitable fundraiser of its kind that raises
money for those who need it most in our community-providing toys for kids,
coats for homeless, food for the hungry, and countless social service programs
year-round.
"It just would not be Christmas without out the sound of the bells," said
Captain Czajkowski Salvation. "Whether it's dropping coins into the kettle or
standing outside ringing the bell, their part in the red kettle drive has
become a family tradition."
Each year, hundreds of volunteers give of their time to The Salvation Army
Red Kettle Drive to raise money that will help sustain the programming offered
by The Salvation Army during the Christmas season and throughout the year. The
Waco Salvation Army hopes to raise $161,000 through this year's efforts.
"Without the donations received during the Christmas season, we would not be
able to assist many people with their essential needs," said Captain
Czajkowski. "When someone drops a dollar into the kettle, it could go
towards toys for a child at Christmas, help with a winter utility bill,
prescription assistance, or even school supplies in August."
The money raised by The Salvation Army's Red Kettle Drive in McLennan goes
to directly help those in our community.
For more information about the Red Kettle Drive or other volunteer
opportunities, please visit the local Salvation Army at 1225 S. Jack Kultgen
Expressway or call 756-7271.