June 10, 2016 at 6:18 p.m.
Party with the Pack benefits Angel On My Shoulder
Party with the Pack benefits Angel On My Shoulder
By Kayla Thomason-
Approximately 200 to 300 Packers fans and supporters of the cancer charity Angel On My Shoulder crowded into the Whitetail Inn in St. Germain to meet retired Packers William Henderson, Tyrone Williams, Gilbert Brown and Lynn Dickey.
The players signed autographs, helped auction off memorabilia, and played catch and bean bag toss with children.
Henderson wore the numbers 30 and 33 for Green Bay. He played fullback from 1995 to 2006 and in Super Bowl XXXI.
Williams, a cornerback, wore number 37. He played from 1996 to 2002 and in Super Bowl XXXI.
Brown, a defensive tackle, wore number 93 from 1993 to 1999 and 2001 to 2003. He was in Super Bowl XXXI, is a two-time NFC Champ in 1996 and 1997. He was inducted into the Green Bay Hall of Fame in 2008.
He is also known for his signature "gravedigger" dance.
Lynn Dickey, quarterback, wore a number fans are used to seeing on current quarterback Aaron Rodgers - 12. He played from 1976 to 1985 and was inducted into the Green Bay Hall of Fame in 1992.
Packers fans are known for their intense loyalty and that showed through at Thursday's event as organizers were thrilled by the size of the crowd.
"I think (the turnout is) amazing, it's just absolutely awesome, it's just a great Packer party," said Lolly Rose, founder of Angel On My Shoulder, an organization dedicated to helping those whose loved ones have been affected by cancer.
She said she especially enjoyed watching the children interact with the Packers, the excitement obvious on the little ones' faces.
"That really warms my heart, because they (the Packers) have big hearts. They're big guys with big hearts and they've been just a tremendous help, and they love the kids. They're awesome role models," she said.
Tyrone Williams enjoyed playing a friendly game with the young fans.
"I've always enjoyed the kids because that's their future," Williams said. "They're ecstatic, you see the smile on their faces. That's what it's all about."
Williams said he wasn't surprised by how big of a crowd there was, as he is used to having such supportive fans.
"The turnout's great," he said. "Wisconsin's always supportive. I've traveled all around the country, it doesn't matter where I'm at, Packer fans are always there," he said. "I've played for different organizations and it's nothing like Green Bay."
This was Williams' first time at an Angel On My Shoulder event as well as his first trip to the northern reaches of the state.
"(I'm) really enjoying the weather and the scenery, having a good time," he said, adding that Angel On My Shoulder is a good organization. "It's a good charity event, any charity event is a plus, we need more of them. Any time that you can give back that's the most important thing."
Williams said he was enjoying catching up with his former teammates and fellow Packer players as he misses the camaraderie of the team.
"It's been great, like I said I hadn't seen these guys in a long time," he said. "I would like for the guys to get together a lot more than we do so, but like I said, we were a really tight-knit group and I think we should start getting together more often."
Daniel Koplin got a kick out of watching his young son, Sawyer, play alongside the Packers in a game of bean bag toss.
"It was very cool and he beat them all," he said. "Gilbert was too scared I think, he said he didn't want to play," Koplin said with a laugh.
Koplin took photos and video of the probably once-in-a-lifetime encounter, and thought his family was thrilled with the interaction with the football players.
"I think they're really enjoying it," he said of his family.
What Koplin enjoyed the most was the relaxed environment.
"Hanging out like regular joes with everybody and no pressure, just having fun," Koplin said.
He hadn't met these four Green Bay Packers before, and got some football cards signed.
This was Koplin's first time at an Angel On My Shoulder event, but he likes the organization.
"It's a great cause so I'm very glad we could help support that," he said.
Patrick Mickelsen is quite familiar with Angel On My Shoulder, as his wife is a big supporter.
"It's my wife's favorite charity," he said. "She's a cancer survivor, and we just happened to drive into town this evening and that's why we came over here the minute we got into town."
When they arrived the parking lot was packed, he said.
"I think it's a great charity and it's a great turnout and it just shows you what people up north are willing to support," Mickelsen said.
During the auction the Packers introduced themselves and made some jokes about the Bears and Vikings to the crowd's delight.
William Henderson showed off the auction items, weaving through the crowd as people bid higher and higher for signed, framed photographs and other items.
This wasn't the first Party With the Pack event. The last one was held in 2013.
"We decided to bring it back because it was so popular and the guys wanted to come and everybody wanted to do this so we thought this was it," Rose said.
She is appreciative of the community's support of the organization.
"I just want to thank everybody for the support," she said. "That's what it takes. Everybody's in this together and we're all here supporting those that have cancer or are affected by cancer and that's why we're here so it's good and it's a fun way to do it as well."
Angel On My Shoulder was founded in 1997 after Rose's husband passed from cancer.
The organization has several camps for children in various age groups where children who have been affected by cancer in some way, be it a family member or themselves, to just have fun and get away from some of the stress.
The camps and retreats are free and funded by the donations they receive.
For more information visit http://angelonmyshoulder.org.
Kayla Breese may be reached at kayla@ rivernewsonline.com.
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