GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- Every football player has one or two digits on their jersey. And at first glance, it's just a simple number.
But now, one former Packer's number is driving in thousands of dollars to a local nonprofit.
"Andy Herman tweeted and encouraged Packer fans to donate 63 dollars in honor of Corey and Anna [Linsley] and their work with CASA of Brown County," nonprofit Executive Director Kristin Jacobs said.
Can't think of a better way to thank @linsley71 & @aelinsley for their time in Green Bay then with a $63 donation to @casabrowncounty. Do your thing, Packer fans. pic.twitter.com/U6rKa7pAeM
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) March 16, 2021
In around 12 hours, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Brown County received $5,000 in donations from nearly 80 different donors located all around the world. Those donations came in 63-dollar increments in honor of the No. 63 former Packers center Corey Linsley wore. The All-Pro started working with CASA in 2017.
"Those people that work day in and day out with CASA, they're so special to us... so important us," Linsley told NBC 26. "They're making such a big difference out there."
This comes a day after it was announced Linsley is leaving Green Bay to play for the Los Angeles Chargers.
"The kids didn’t even know that Corey was a Packer player until they saw him as a captain for a coin toss during an overtime game," Jacobs said.
CASA of Brown County is a volunteer-based organization that provides a voice for children under the legal protection of the court system. It works to train citizens who are willing to work with kids around the area.
Linsley was a volunteer himself, along with his wife Anna, and completed 30 hours of training in the off-season to become one.
"We saw the kind of difference that it made and it changed us, man," Linsley said. "It changed our lives and changed our perspective on things. And we're hoping to continue that for years and years down the road no matter what we do."
So as he leaves the Packers to play for the Chargers, Linsley is emotional. He says he's thankful for the fans who are helping a cause he loves so much.
"[I'm] struggling for words I guess," Linsley said. "It's just awesome that we can kind of leave that legacy in Green Bay knowing we made a difference."
Andy Herman had no idea his tweet would reach so many people.
"I know how Packer fans are," Herman said. "They love Corey and they love an opportunity to support causes like that. And I just thought 63 dollars or whatever anyone could possibly contribute to a great cause like CASA would be perfect."
The organization also aims to help children spend less time in foster care. During the pandemic, visits have been virtual.
"Unfortunately, for many of the children we serve, their CASA volunteer is the consistent adult presence in their life," Jacobs said.
Jacobs says CASA is still in need of more citizen volunteers in Brown and Marinette County.
"We need people to volunteer to join Corey and Anna in the work that they did, and to help provide a voice for kids who really need that consistent adult in their life," she said.
Learn more about CASA and where you can donate, by clicking here.
