Green Bay tailgate raffle to benefit Sierra Delta and veterans

The 6th Annual Green Bay House Ultimate Tailgate & Raffle will raise money for Wisconsin nonprofit Sierra Delta on Nov. 15 near Lambeau Field. The event ties Packers game-day tradition to veteran support, with proceeds funding dog-training grants and awareness for Sierra Delta’s Life Buddy program.

Why it matters: - The fundraiser connects a high-profile Packers game-day tradition with veteran support. - Proceeds will help Sierra Delta fund dog-training grants that aim to improve routine, connection and independence for veterans. - The event also extends Sierra Delta’s reach beyond its core audience by bringing in football fans, rival-team supporters and online participants.

What happened: - Sierra Delta was named the beneficiary of the 6th Annual Green Bay House Ultimate Tailgate & Raffle. - The event begins at 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, just before the Green Bay Packers face the Minnesota Vikings. - The Green Bay House is near Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. - The fundraiser is hosted by Tom and Erin Burns at the Green Bay House.

The details: - All proceeds from the event will support Sierra Delta’s mission of building meaningful relationships between dogs and veterans. - Sierra Delta’s Life Buddy program helps veterans identify the dog training that fits their needs, lifestyle and dog. - Veterans can receive a Life Buddy Training Grant of up to $3,500, paid directly to the trainer they choose. - Sierra Delta says it has funded more than 1,100 professional dog training grants for veterans nationwide. - The group is on pace to award nearly 200 grants in 2026, which would be a record year. - Since 2021, the Green Bay House fundraiser has raised more than $70,000 for veterans. - The event raised $25,000 for Sierra Delta in 2025. - Sierra Delta said that level of support can fund enough help for 20 veterans and their dogs. - Grants have been awarded in every state except North Dakota. - Sierra Delta’s long-range goal is 10,000 dogs for 10,000 veterans. - The organization estimates that reaching that goal would require about $35 million. - BJ Ganem founded Sierra Delta after his own difficult transition from military service. - Ganem is a former U.S. Marine sergeant and University of Southern California graduate with a master’s degree in social work. - Ganem has also received recognition through the Portraits of Courage series. - The event coincides with the NFL’s Salute to Service campaign honoring military members, veterans and their families. - Former NFL player and U.S. Army Green Beret Nate Boyer said the event gives exposure to Sierra Delta’s mission and shows that football fans want to support others.

Between the lines: - The fundraiser uses sports fandom as a social-meets-philanthropy channel, turning rivalry and game-day energy into charitable giving. - Sierra Delta’s model is different from the traditional service-dog pathway because veterans choose their own dog and trainer. - The organization is positioning dog ownership and professional training as flexible tools for veterans, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

What's next: - Sierra Delta will use the fundraiser to introduce new audiences to its mission and attract additional support. - The nonprofit is pushing toward a presence in all 50 states. - The 2026 fundraising total will help determine whether Sierra Delta can continue scaling grant awards at a record pace.

The bottom line: - A Packers tailgate is becoming a funding engine for veteran support, with every raffle ticket helping expand Sierra Delta’s dog-training grants.