For more than a century, community support has been at the heart of the Packers organization. The annual Ladies of Lambeau event is one way the team gives back, supporting those in need of a little extra love.

Launched in 2011 by Laurie Murphy, wife of former Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, Ladies of Lambeau was created to unite women connected to the Packers organization – from employees and board members to the wives and partners of players, coaches and staff. Each year, the group gathers for an evening of connection and community impact.

When Ed Policy succeeded Murphy as Packers President and CEO in July, it was a "no-brainer" for his wife, Christy Policy, to take the lead on the Ladies of Lambeau event.

"What Laurie created was wonderful," Policy said. "I think it would be a massive disservice to not carry it on ... I'm honored to be a part of it."

Each fall, the group rolls up its sleeves for a hands-on service project that brings care and encouragement to those who need it most. Past efforts have included packing meals to fight world hunger, painting cheerful wall art for hospital rooms and assembling care packages for expectant military families.

Policy and her family moved to Green Bay in 2012 when Ed accepted the position of vice president and general counsel for the Packers. Though she had participated in previous Ladies of Lambeau events, this year was the first year she had the opportunity to choose which cause the women would champion.

After learning about the significant number of children in the Brown County foster care system, Policy was struck by the need for greater awareness and support. As she dug deeper, she felt called to focus on one group in particular: children ages 10 to 17, often referred to as the system's "invisible population."

More than 340 children are currently in foster care in Brown County, with 10 to 15 more entering out-of-home care each month. Nearly one-third are between the ages of 10-17.

Policy saw the Ladies of Lambeau gathering as the perfect opportunity to bring attention to the issue she called "gut-wrenching."

"I wanted to keep it simple and very local so that it was very visceral to the participants," she said of choosing her first cause to support.

"I truly believe that nothing is more important than the welfare of our children," she added. "As a mom and part of the Packers family and community at large, that part is very personal to me."

To bring the project to life, Policy and the Ladies of Lambeau committee partnered with several local organizations, including CASA of Brown County, Foster the Village and Brown County Shelter Care. Together, they worked to create an evening centered on awareness and meaningful impact.

At Thursday evening's event, more than 200 women assembled hundreds of care packages for young individuals in foster care and painted murals to be displayed in the Brown County Shelter Care facility.

The care packs – filled with personal care items, snacks and special surprises tailored for teens – were designed to offer a sense of normalcy and remind this often-overlooked group that they are seen, valued and supported.

Among those who understand the importance of such efforts was Green Bay Police Department operations commander Shannon Seymer-Tabaska, who shared with participants that she spent 10 years in the foster care system as a child, and Angel, a former foster youth now building her life beyond the system. Their perspectives brought a deeply personal layer to the evening's message and affirmed the lasting impact the effort would have.

"The generosity of the care packages we are going to collectively put together tonight are truly going to leave an imprint on the lives of these youth for years to come," Seymer-Tabaska told the group.

For Seymer-Tabaska and Policy, the goal extends beyond one night of service. Both encouraged participants to continue supporting local children in foster care and the organizations that serve them, including the community partners who helped make the event possible.

"The people that I have met working on building out this evening – the partnerships that we have – they are doing wonderful work," Policy said. "We certainly couldn't have done this without their input, nor would we have wanted to."

The Policy family has called Green Bay "home" for more than 13 years, and for Christy, giving back is just one way of saying thank you to a community that has welcomed them from the start.

"We've been super lucky since we arrived here … the community has embraced us with open arms," Policy said. "It's been a wonderful place to raise our family, and I couldn't feel more a part of it."

Through Ladies of Lambeau, Policy continues a legacy that shows the heart of the Packers organization beats just as strong off the field – rooted in service, connection and a community that always shows up for one another.

To learn more or get involved with Green Bay organizations doing critical work to support young individuals in foster care, please visit CASA of Brown County, Foster the Village and Brown County Shelter Care.