FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16,
2007
www.nyc.gov/fund
NEW YORK JETS TEAM UP WITH MAYOR'S FUND TO
RECORD PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jets Players Remind New Yorkers of Ways We Can
Enhance our Quality of Life and Take Advantage of City Resources
The New York Jets football organization partnered with
the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City to help the City promote important
messages including after-school activities, the significance of involved
fathers, healthy eating and exercise, and keeping our city clean and
green. Now airing on Radio New York (91.5 FM) and Radio NYC, the public
service announcements feature Jets players Jerricho Cotchery, James Dearth,
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Victor Hobson, Nick Mangold, Kerry Rhodes and Eric Smith,
who all donated their time and voices to highlight key City messages.
"We are proud to join in this outreach effort to educate
New York City residents on a wide variety of important topics," said New York
Jets Senior Vice President of Business Operations, Matt Higgins. "When New York
residents hear these messages from our players, we hope they provide guidance
and encouragement."
"We are grateful to the Jets for joining forces with the
City to endorse such significant messages," said Mayor's Fund President Megan
Sheekey. "We hope New Yorkers will be motivated and encouraged by the words of
these players, just as we are inspired by their skills on the field."
"It is an honor to participate in this program," said
Jets tight end and long snapper James Dearth who recorded a public service
announcement about the importance of family. "These topics are not only
important to the residents of New York City, but are issues all of us face every
day. As a father and a husband, my message is particularly meaningful to me.
Hopefully, we will help change the lives of many people."
The PSAs are currently airing on the on-hold public
announcement system, Radio NYC, available on over 25,000 City phones, and on the
official radio station of the City of New York, Radio New York (FM 91.5), that
features a variety of programs for the City's diverse communities. Placement is
also being sought on additional radio stations to reach as many citywide
listeners as possible.
The New York Jets organization is committed to helping
the New York community. Over the past seven years, the Jets and their charitable
foundation have donated or contributed more than seven million dollars to
promote youth health, fitness and education, particularly in disadvantaged
communities. From fighting childhood obesity through the Generation Jets: Be
Lean & Green initiative to launching a football team in a Harlem high
school, urging students in the Bronx to eat right and move more and supporting
the efforts of the Alliance for Lupus Research, the New York Jets invest in
programs that make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to the Jets
Foundation, which supports its own youth initiatives, the Jets partner with
numerous established charitable organizations and participate in causes
sponsored by the NFL.
The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City is the
umbrella not-for-profit organization of the City of New York. The Mayor's Fund
is dedicated to creating partnerships between the City and the private sector in
an effort to strengthen public programs. The Fund relies on individuals,
foundations, and corporations to support innovative projects in areas including
the arts, parks, education, and health.
To listen to the PSAs featuring Jets players visit www.nyc.gov/fund.
CONTACTS:
Jenny Sharfstein (Mayor's Fund) (212)
788-7794
Jesse Linder (New York Jets) (516) 560-8268