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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 470-09
October 27, 2009

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND PHILADELPHIA MAYOR NUTTER MAKE VOLUNTEER SERVICE BASED WORLD SERIES WAGER

Major League Baseball Dedicating First Four Games of Series to Community Service

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter today announced a first-of-its kind wager on the World Series between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies: The losing mayor will travel to the winning city to join the winning mayor in a volunteer service project, while wearing a jersey from the winning team.  In addition, the losing Mayor will cater lunch from a local establishment for the volunteers working with the winning Mayor. Win or lose, Mayor Bloomberg will be joining Publicolor to work with students painting open spaces at I.S. 131, the Albert Einstein School in the Bronx, and Mayor Nutter will be joining the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to paint a mural on the side of a Philadelphia recreation center.

“Over past two seasons, the Phillies have been on an incredible ride, but the defending champs are about to become the former champs.  The Yanks will be bringing the World Series title back to where it belongs – New York City,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Baseball rivalries aside, helping empower at-risk students to create change in their school environment is important service. And I think Mayor Nutter is going to look great in pinstripes.”

“The real winner of this friendly wager is the Philadelphia community that stands by our teams,” said Mayor Nutter. “We will reward their dedication with this public arts project that focuses on our children. The only thing more certain for Philadelphia than a repeat is a mural for the community to enjoy.”

“It is gratifying to see Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Nutter join Major League Baseball in dedicating this year’s World Series to community service,” said Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig.  “Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Nutter have taken the traditional World Series bet between Mayors and turned it into an opportunity to give back to the community and enrich the lives of others.”

For the first time ever, Major League Baseball is dedicating the first four games of the World Series to community service as a continuation of its “Going Beyond” initiative, which supports programs for veterans, cancer research and youth development.

Publicolor is a strong partner of NYC Service, Mayor Bloomberg’s comprehensive strategy to increase volunteerism in New York City and meet President Obama’s nationwide call to service. Publicolor teaches the process of commercial painting to at-risk students to re-engage them in their education, schools and community and improve their learning environment, all while teaching them a valuable, marketable skill.

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives.

 Each World Series game played at Yankee Stadium generates $15.5 million economic activity, according to New York City Economic Development Corporation.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Marc La Vorgna (Mayor Bloomberg)   (212) 788-2958

Maura Kennedy (Mayor Nutter)   (215) 686-6210




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