As a newspaper man, Elliott Brack rubbed elbows with many influential men and women. None influenced Brack more than Andy Miller Sr., former national commander of The Salvation Army, which has an expanse of programs serving children and families, veterans and older people, prisoners and victims of natural disasters.
“Andy Miller was perhaps the most amazing and Godly man I have ever known,” says Brack, former vice president and general manager of the now defunct Gwinnett Daily News.
Miller was also persuasive. After he “retired” to Lawrenceville, he enlisted Brack to a head a campaign to raise $4.5 million to build the charity’s present facility on Sugarloaf Parkway. Earlier this month, The Salvation Army of Gwinnett County awarded Brack its “Others” award, honoring service to others.
Miller died in 2011 but his powers of persuasion still have Brack ringing that bell at Christmastime and working for the cause.
Q: How did you get so involved with The Salvation Army.
A: I had no choice really — I met Andy Miller. When he came to Gwinnett, he saw the dismal facilities that The Salvation Army had in Lawrenceville. When he met me, he recognized that I knew many people in Gwinnett. I would introduce him to a business leader and then I sat back and let him do his pitch. Before we left, he generally had a contribution. At the end of the meeting, we had a short prayer session. That really impressed people. He was really an evangelist and true to his calling.
Q: And what did you get from the friendship?
A: He offered me new opportunities to help others. I am so glad we met.
Q: Most people associate The Salvation Army with folks ringing the bell at Christmas and asking for donations. What else should they know?
A: I ring the bell every year. Sometimes you almost freeze to death but it is fun to see the faces of children as they drop pennies and dimes into the bucket. The Salvation Army has been around 150 years and it has a two-fold mission. They are a relief charity to help people in need. If they can bring people to the Lord, they are even happier.
Q: You were general manager of the Gwinnett Daily News, then associate publisher of the AJC’s Gwinnett section. You now publish your own online website, the Gwinnett Forum. How has your county changed over time and what does that mean to the work of The Salvation Army?
A: When I came here in 1974, Gwinnett had 100,000 people and the highest income per household in the state. That's because we had few with low income. We didn't even know what the word homeless meant. Now we have 900,000 people and are one of the most diverse counties in the nation. Many of our citizens are immigrants. There is tremendous need.
Q: What does this award mean to you?
A: It was most surprising. Andy Miller III, captain of Lawrenceville Corps Office, talked to my son and told him that they wanted to give me this award and raise $25,000 in my honor. My son said, 'Why don't we double it?" He knew a foundation that might issue a challenge grant. It made me so proud when I heard that. In the end, with the contributions and the luncheon and all, they raised over $85,000.
Q: The Salvation Army is naming a media center that will be used by school children after you and your wife Barbara. How does that make you feel?
A: I think what it means is now I have to get out there and find some computers that I can get donated. I don't want to have a second rate media center with our names on it.
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