MAYOR NUTTER, MAYOR MALLORY MAKE NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISIONAL SERIES BET TO BENEFIT CHILDREN

Philadelphia, October 6, 2010- Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Mayor Mark Mallory announced a National League Division Series bet that will benefit low-income children in both Philadelphia and Cincinnati. The Mayors agreed that the winning city will receive 2,000 books donated by the non-profit First Book. The winning Mayor will send the books to organizations serving in-need children in their home city. The series’ losing city will also receive 1,000 books donated by First Book. Mayor Nutter and Mayor Mallory said that they believed the bet was in the spirit of competition, while also addressing one of the most urgent needs in their communities – improving literacy and making sure that kids who are in the most need have access to books.    

“When children read, it builds confidence and creates a life-long love of learning. The real winner of this bet will be the many children in both cities who will receive increased access to quality, age-appropriate books,” said Mayor Nutter. “When the Phillies win the NLDS, 3,000 new books will be donated to Philadelphia and Cincinnati to help children learn and love to read.”

“I am glad Mayor Nutter is so kindly offering to bet on the series.  We know the Reds are going to win, and now our young people will be able to directly benefit from the win,” said Mayor Mallory. “One of the keys to improving literacy in our communities is to improve the access to books.  I want to thank First Book for generously helping us to provide 3,000 children with a new book all of their own to launch their love of reading.”

First Book’s Founder and President Kyle Zimmer said, “We are honored to be a part of this wager and are excited that the real winners are the children of Philadelphia and Cincinnati.  A recent study has shown that access to books improves children’s reading performance, is instrumental in helping children learning the basics of reading and produces improved attitudes toward reading and learning among children.   We are excited to bring this opportunity to the children of Philadelphia and Cincinnati.”      

About First Book:
First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 75 million free and low-cost books in thousands of communities. First Book has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information please visit www.firstbook.org.

###