A tailgate on a mission

Craig Krawczyk has been there from the beginning. Over the years, he has seen The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs’ ultimate tailgate party grow from a small get-together to a large event with local and national support. After his daughter’s graduation from the center, he wanted to continue his support by helping plan the Tailgate Challenge. 

“Originally, it was a small gathering of Bell Center families, a few tables and tents and about 100 people attending,” Krawczyk said. “It is now up to over 30 tents, people from all over the community and a few thousand people attending.”

As football season approaches, The Bell Center is getting ready for the sixth annual event, which organizers expect to double last year’s attendance record once again. 

The Tailgate Challenge, which moved to The Summit from Sloss Furnaces last year, allows attendees to kick off the season for their favorite football teams, regardless of which team it is. 

“It’s fun no matter what football team you root for, from high school to college to pro,” Fund Development Director Kelly Peoples said. 

At the challenge, team tent sponsors wear their team’s gear and compete in several tailgate-themed categories awarded by celebrity judges. This year’s judges include Lance Taylor, Jim Dunaway and Ryan Brown from WJOX Roundtable; Wendy Garner and Don Hawes from NBC Alabama’s 13 News; and Alec Harvey from Alabama Media Group. Categories include most team spirit, best tasting food and best all around. 

All funds raised go toward The Bell Center, a privately funded nonprofit. The organization offers intervention services to infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delay. Its programs are designed to assist with growth in gross and fine motor skills, language, cognition, self-help and social skills. 

Though the fundraising is essential, the tailgate accomplishes another important goal of the center: to spread awareness of developmental delay and intervention services. 

“There will be lots of people,” Peoples said. “They will be able to find out what we’re doing if they’re not sure.”

The Bell Center will host its annual Tailgate Challenge on Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Summit. Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children 4-10 and free for children 3 and under. For more information on the Tailgate Challenge, visit thebellcenter.org.