Several hours before the 3:30 p.m. kickoff, Dave Leitner of Chilton will lead a group of 10 to 12 volunteers toward the top of Lambeau Field, at the Miller Lite North End Zone to be exact, where they will sell Miller beer products, water and peanuts to the hungry Packer backers.

For their efforts, the volunteers from the Chilton Area Catholic School hope to add to the several thousand dollars they've raised this season as vendors at Packer home games.

"It's a pretty easy gig," said Leitner, who coordinates the Chilton volunteer vending operations at Lambeau.

Chilton schools began helping out during Packers games about 10 years ago when extensive renovations were completed at Lambeau Field.

"We tried to get in there earlier, but were always turned down. Then the renovation took place and they called us," Leitner said.

The Chilton group works in three booths in the Miller Lite End Zone operations.
"Sometimes we get to watch some of the game. It's just so much fun. When the Pack started heading toward the playoffs the atmosphere really got electric," Leitner said.
But before the fun begins, the Chilton volunteers, one of dozens of non-profit groups working at Lambeau on game days, has to set up their booths with beer and ice.

"For noon games we have to leave Chilton about 8:30 a.m. It gets to be a nine- to 10-hour day," Leitner said.

Workers have to complete an online test on selling alcoholic products before being allowed to work the concessions.

Individual volunteers are not paid, but the Chilton Area Catholic School receives a check after the season from Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, which operates concessions at Lambeau Field and numerous other professional sports venues across the country.

Levy contracts with the volunteer vendors and makes donations of between $50 and $100 per individual that works each game. Donations can be higher depending on the amount of product sold.

Leitner said the Chilton booth accounts for $5,000 to $7,000 in sales of beer, water and peanuts for each game.

He said proceeds go directly to the Good Shepherd Parish budget and are used to help defray school tuition costs.

"The playoff games mean more dollars and more opportunities for our school," Leitner said. "We welcome playoff games. Every year the cost of everything goes up."

The Chilton group also works other events at Lambeau Field, like the June 2011 concert by country singer Kenney Chesney, when the group sold $31,000 worth of products at another booth.

"When they need us they call us," Leitner said.

In addition to sneaking looks at the game, Leitner said it's fun to watch the fans.
"I've seen two marriage proposals. It's pretty fun. You get to mingle with the fans. Business is always pretty steady," he said. "And you meet other people from the parish you might have not met before. You can branch out socially."

Chicago Bear fans are not uncommon, even when the Packers are not playing the Bears, Leitner said.

"They want to see Lambeau Field. They'll say 'This is our first time here,'" Leitner said.

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