In a matter of seconds 10 footballs autographed by Archie Manning were purchased, each, for a donation of $500 to The Salvation Army of Greater Houston. The program for the Annual Luncheon had not even begun when the lucky donors packed up their checkbooks and secured their one-of-a-kind footballs, personally autographed by one of the National Football League’s (NFL) most legendary players.

Manning – who is better known to some for his family’s royalty status in the NFL – later joked during his keynote speech at The Salvation Army’s Annual Luncheon fundraiser that the careers of his two sons, Eli and Peyton, often overshadow his own.  He shared with a crowd of over 500 how one fan once praised him for his accomplishments only to turn around and ask if he could get his two sons to autograph a football for him.

The two-time pro-Bowl player even touched on the hardships his older son Cooper had to endure before retiring from his football career early on for medical reasons.       

For the one-time Houston Oilers player – Manning played in nine games in the 1982 and 1983 seasons – the message was clear: don’t give up when you are faced with adversity, instead take the initiative and act like a true leader.

“Your challenges may be great, but your abilities are even greater,” he urged the crowd at the Hilton Americas Houston where they gathered.

Attendees – including former Houston Councilman Gordon Quan; Steven A. James from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee’s office; Greater Houston Area Commander for The Salvation Army, Major Marshall Gesner; the members of The Salvation Army Advisory Board Luncheon Committee including Board President Marcus Watts, Linda McReynolds, Dorothy Nicholson, Bill Van Wie, and Penny Hess Butler; as well as  luncheon chairs Suzie and Phil Conway – eagerly listened as Manning delivered his heartfelt and often humorous address.

“I know something about adversity,” he told the Houston crowd whose city is still recovering from the passage of Hurricane Ike earlier this year.  “I know what it’s like to lose loved ones.  I know what it’s like to lose a whole ton of football games.  I know what it’s like to lose most of your city to a horrible natural disaster, but I have also survived enough adversity to know that at the end of every storm the sun will shine.”   

To help in the continued Hurricane Ike disaster relief efforts Manning asked folks to give generously to The Salvation Army, but he reminded them that this 119 year-old local institution does much more than simply respond in times of natural disaster.
 

In fact, proceeds raised by the Annual Luncheon will go towards direct programs and services for the Greater Houston area including youth and senior programs, rehabilitation, housing, Christmas, and financial assistance, along with counseling.

Since Hurricane Ike The Salvation Army has provided 3 million snacks, 2 million hot-meals, 22,000 cleaning kits, counsel to some 8,000 individuals, 5,000 food boxes, and other items to the residents of Southeast Texas.

Major Marshall Gesner, who knows a thing or two about dealing with adversity himself, having served as incident commander in the immediate aftermath after Hurricane Ike, opened the luncheon with a simple prayer.

“God our heavenly father…we thank you for all the blessings that we enjoy in this great country, and we are reminded that all these great blessings come from you.  We thank you for all of those who support the work of The Salvation Army…and we pray your blessing on them,” he said.

Also honored at this years’ luncheon was Mr. J.Hugh Roff, Jr., chairman of Roff Resources LLC.  Roff received the distinguished William Booth Award for his outstanding commitment to the organization and his humanitarian service to the community.  The William Booth Award is one of the highest honors to be conferred upon an individual by The Salvation Army.

Roff was elected to The Salvation Army Advisory Board in 1989 and served as Chairman of the Advisory Board from 1996-1998. He also conducted a successful capital campaign for The Salvation Army that resulted in the opening of several new facilities in the Greater Houston Area.

In addition, Manning was recently selected as one of 10 outstanding New Orleanians by Family Services of Greater New Orleans.  His community activities include Louisiana Special Olympics, the New Orleans Area Boy Scout Council, United Way Speakers Bureau, NOKIA Sugar Bowl Committee, New Orleans Sports Foundation, and National Football Foundation and college Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

“Every time you do what’s right, you’re a leader.  Every time you do what’s hard you’re a leader,” Manning told the crowd in conclusion. “Every time you keep fighting through challenges you’re a leader.  And every time you help someone in need in the Houston area through The Salvation Army you’re a leader.”

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