New York Jets Team Up with Mayor's Fund to Record Public Service Announcements

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2007
www.nyc.gov/fund

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