(Press release)

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.