2010 September 02 | Kelly Lake, Oconto County Wisconsin

Lunch With Courageous Kids and Encouraging Packers! (emendated with a few corrections and additions)

A noble cause by a stellar selfless group of people for courageous kids with cancer was the program presented at the Atrium at Lambeau Field Wednesday noon. Our good friend and Kelly Lake neighbor, Gary Clevers, invited Shirley and I to join in at his table in the Atrium (one of 91 tables!), along with Kelly Lake’s Ellie Ullrich, Kelly Lake’s Al Breitlow (referee at training camps), Bill Kamke owner of Fox Ridge Game Farm who serves on the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, Trisha Brown, HR Director at CMH, Luella Gallegos, along with her guest Annita. Leulla (Leu) was seated the head of our table. Leu is one of the kids with cancer being honored for her courage to fight the disease. We were seated second row from the stage and adjacent to the center aisle where the Packer players walked by; a perfect spot!

The Packer Organization sponsored the Luncheon; most of the members were there including the Packers themselves. Jarius Wynn was picked as Lou’s personal guest. In his second year, Jarius plays as Defensive End; is 6’3″; 285 pounds; 24 years old; number 94; graduated from Georgia University. Jarius is a pleasant, personable, congenial titan who speaks modestly of his life and family; he noted that his mother and father talk about his achievements and the Packers daily! His eighth-grade brother, also proud of him, boasts his Packer-player status! Jarius’ wide-smile brightens when asked about his wife, three-year-old daughter and a son due in February! For a quiet man, he’s quick to fill us in–and express his love and pride–for his family. Jarius’ proudest football play was blocking the field goal attempt in the Seattle game last year, saving the game!

Drew Smith from Fox 11 was MC at the event. Coach Mike McCarthy gave the address, promising “we’ll meet any team, anytime, even right out here in the parking lot!”, or as best as I can remember, but CLOSE! . Nick Barnett was recognized, selected and awarded for his generous outstanding contribution to the community by his teammates.

Leu is a remarkable, pretty young lady with a pleasant, pleasing smile, healthy look and positive attitude. She will be attending NWTC this year. Her ultimate goal is to be a radiation therapist. Her determination seems evident as she deals with her daily course of treatment, normal studies and plans for the future; we all admired her charm through all her challenges; she’s an inspiration for us all.

I would like to take liberty to express my admiration for Gary Clevers. I hope he doesn’t mind that I mention his involvement with kids who have cancer. Gary told me about two years ago he wanted to do something for the ‘kids’. He proposed an idea to his Board of Directors to raise money—serious money. With the economy as it is, the Board didn’t think it advisable at the time, at least a goal of $1 million dollars. In spite of, or despite the economy, Gary set out on a mission to help the ‘kids’. The Angel Fund Board agreed and together met the challenge.

We’re proud to know you, Gary, and thanks for inviting us to meet remarkable kids, and benevolent people who set aside their lives for such a worthy and noble cause. And Gary’s wife, Kathy, is also very active in the community, volunteering her time and energy helping others. Two great people we’re honored to share our friendships. Roger and Shirley

Bill, Gary, Shirley, Leu, Anitta, myself.

Gary and Kathy’s daughter, Jenna, and her friend, Barb.

I ran into a long time friend from the original Naiad Ski Club ’79, Brad Hansen! We still get together at Kelly Lake; his dad has a cottage on White Lake.

Former Packer star, Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila mingled through the group, stopping to pose with us. Kabeer retired due to injury. A very pleasant and outgoing gentleman. Attendees were asked not to take pictures during the dinner.