“Boxes and boxes” of Green Bay Packers memorabilia have flooded a Wisconsin nursing home after a nurse sent out a plea to the local community. 

The Omro Care Center, 50-bed skilled nursing facility in Omro, WI, hosts Packers-themed days each time the football team plays a game. Sarah Benson, a licensed practical nurse with Omro Care, noticed some residents didn’t have any Packers-themed gear while watching a 2019 preseason game. 

As a result, she reached out on social media, asking for donations to residents. She and her daughter also traveled to thrift shops and clothing stores around the area to find items. 

The community’s response to Benson’s request has been “amazing,” administrator Eric Lehocky told McKnight’s. The nursing has received “boxes and boxes” of Packers memorabilia, paintings and signed jerseys.  

“(Now) on Packers (game) days the residents can show their spirit,” Lehocky said. “This is definitely not what we anticipated or expected. We’ve had amazing support throughout the entire state.” 

The nursing home plans to share the items they receive with its sister facilities, according to Lehocky. He also praised Benson and his staff for their work with residents. 

“Everybody needs to have pride in something, and for us to share that with our residents is great,” he said. “I have a lot of staff that have been here from a handful of years up to 25 years. (Benson) thought it was really important to make sure all of the residents were included. Even if they’re (Chicago) Bears fans, if we have to get a Bears shirt so they can be prideful, we’ll do that too.”