The Green Bay Packers Foundation on Tuesday awarded $450,000 to 145 civic and charitable groups throughout Wisconsin with its annual distribution of grants.
The total donation amount and the number of recipient organizations are records for the Foundation.
Charlie Lieb, chairman of the foundation committee, distributed the grants at a luncheon for the recipients at Lambeau Field. The foundation has awarded more than $3 million for charitable purposes since it was established in 1986.
“If you look at the 90 years of our team’s history, we wouldn’t be where we are now if it wasn’t for our community,” said Packer chief executive officer Mark Murphy said. “Our view is we have to give back. We’ve been fortunate and it has allowed us to do more. For us, it’s important to support the organizations that support our community. We’re excited about the overall charitable impact.”
Combined with direct cash donations by the club to various charitable efforts, the comprehensive Packers charity impact resulted in excess of $6 million over the past year.
The grants aided civic and charitable groups of all ages and backgrounds throughout the state.
The Disabled American Veterans of Wisconsin, Chapter 3, in the Green Bay area, received funding for uniforms, the membership’s building, transportation and an honor guard.
“It would be a lot harder for us to do those things without the Packers,” said Robert Krausert, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, who attended the event with Marine Corps veteran Ron Hoffman. “We have the honor guard for funerals. It shows the team doesn’t just sell tickets, they give money back. It’s a nice way for the Packers to stay involved in the community.”
