ESCANABA---Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Don Barclay signed autographs for about an hour Wednesday night in Escanaba as he tried to help the Escanaba Public Safety Department collect donations to the county's food pantries.
Barclay is a third-year pro out of West Virginia, and he started all but two of Green Bay's games last season. He says that he considers the U.P. as part of the Packer Community.
"I feel like the Packers are one of those teams where you can be way out in California or down in Florida, and there's fans everywhere," Barclay said. "That's what's special about our team. We can come here to a different state and have the same fan base."
Barclay was in town to help with a food fundraiser for the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent dePaul Society.
He says that he remembers that when he was growing up, there were friends of his who did not have enough food and often went hungry.
"It means a lot to us to help out," Barclay said. "To reach out to these kids. Anything helps. Small, or a lot. It's something to put on the table. I mean, everyone needs to eat."
As for football, Barclay says that the Packers are off to a good start in workouts.
"The OTA (Organized Team Activities) has been doing real good," Barclay said. "We finished our seventh practice today. It's just a battle every day. Everyone is out there competing for a spot. The rookies are out there trying to show what they've got."
Escanaba Public Safety Director Ken Vanderlinden was happy for Barclay's help.
"There is certainly a need within Delta County for the food drive," Vanderlinden said. "The community's support has always been overwhelming when we have these types of events. The community continues to support us."
"It's been better than expected."
The event was held at Escanaba's Elmer's County Market grocery store.
"It's a great way for Escanaba's Finest to help to give back and to fill the food pantries," said Elmer's part-0wner and President Mike Dagenais. "It's awesome. I'm just proud to be a Delta-Countian. I am proud to to say I am from Escanaba. And a Packer fan!"
Barclay is a third-year pro out of West Virginia, and he started all but two of Green Bay's games last season. He says that he considers the U.P. as part of the Packer Community.
Barclay was in town to help with a food fundraiser for the Salvation Army and the St. Vincent dePaul Society.
He says that he remembers that when he was growing up, there were friends of his who did not have enough food and often went hungry.
"It means a lot to us to help out," Barclay said. "To reach out to these kids. Anything helps. Small, or a lot. It's something to put on the table. I mean, everyone needs to eat."
As for football, Barclay says that the Packers are off to a good start in workouts.
"The OTA (Organized Team Activities) has been doing real good," Barclay said. "We finished our seventh practice today. It's just a battle every day. Everyone is out there competing for a spot. The rookies are out there trying to show what they've got."
Green Bay Packers Lineman Don Barclay
"There is certainly a need within Delta County for the food drive," Vanderlinden said. "The community's support has always been overwhelming when we have these types of events. The community continues to support us."
"It's been better than expected."
The event was held at Escanaba's Elmer's County Market grocery store.
"It's a great way for Escanaba's Finest to help to give back and to fill the food pantries," said Elmer's part-0wner and President Mike Dagenais. "It's awesome. I'm just proud to be a Delta-Countian. I am proud to to say I am from Escanaba. And a Packer fan!"
