Students cheer as Donald Driver makes appearance at middle school

GRAFTON (WITI)-- A sea of green and gold greeted former Green Bay Packer Donald Driver on Tuesday, May 21st. Hundreds of students cheered on Driver as he pulled up to John Long Middle School.  While the kids celebrated the football star's visit, he was there to thank them.

"I don't know how you all did it, but I salute every single person," Driver said to the student-filled gym.

The school collected 78,022 items for Goodwill.  It's part of the organization's Pack'er Up promotion.

"Having that accomplished and having him here is like the biggest thing ever," student Zainab Manzoor said.

Driver gave them a signed football helmet as a thank you.

"It was just amazing, there were like actually no words for it," student Erin Hogan said.

Schools from across the area participated.  In total, 635,968 items were collected for Goodwill.