La Crosse Hunger Task Force's Shelly Fortner on perfect timing for Packers Tailgate Tour

The Green Bay Packers Tailgate Tour to help the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse came at just the right time. Shelly Fortner, executive director of HTF said the event brought in $98,000. Seven players — past and present — along with Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy held their Tailgate Tour event at the Stoney Creek Hotel in Onalaska that saw 400 fans in attendance. Of that fundraising total, $25,000 was donated by the Packers and another $3,000 was donated by one fan in attendance who won the auction for an autographed helmet. Fortner said the Packers pick a nonprofit to help at each stop and she said they were lucky enough that the Hunger Task Force of La Crosse was the beneficiary here. “This is just crazy how coincidental this was, and how truly, truly grateful we are because it was the perfect opportunity and the actual perfect time,” Fortner told WIZM. “Timing couldn’t have been better because the Hunger Task Force is concerned about our funding for the year, given the looks of government cuts and things to food programs.  “We really felt like we were in a mode where we had to scramble to try and fulfil our mission and this event coming at this perfect time is going to help us do that.” The event was very personable for those in attendance. While WKTY’s Grant Bilse was initially on the mic taking audience questions for the seven Packers on stage, eventually, Murphy took over those duties, as he mingled with fans, weaving through the crowd to find those who had something to ask. “Had really good conversations, I had personally, with several of the players,” Fortner said of the experience. “I was able to introduce Mark Murphy at the event which was a real pleasure for me because, actually, the 17-year tenure we both have in common — he’s been with the Packers 17 years, I’ve been with the Hunger Task Force 17 years.” The players that were part of the tour included UW-La Crosse alum Bill Schroeder, current Packers Tucker Kraft and Lukas Van Ness, along with retired players Ahman Green, Marco Rivera, Tony Fisher, Tucker Kraft and John Michels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.