Seattle (January 8, 2020) – Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich made a friendly wager ahead of this Sunday’s playoff contest between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers. The wager is inspired by Mayor Genrich’s “Win-Win Playoff Challenge,” which encourages both playoff communities to give back through service to highlight a community organization and effort.
Mayor Durkan and Mayor Genrich are partnering with community organizations as part of the “win-win challenge” issue. Following the outcome of the January 12 game, City of Green Bay and Community Foundation employees will volunteer at Paul’s Pantry. As part of the upcoming MLK Weekend of Service, volunteers from the Mayor’s Office, CityYear, Seattle Foundation, and other community and corporate partners will join together to volunteer at Concord Elementary in South Park. In the spirit of friendly competition, both cities will wear the winning team’s colors.
To celebrate our cities’ shared ties, Mayor Durkan and Mayor Genrich also agreed to wager three things Seattle and Green Bay know well: Beer, cheese, and coffee. If the Packers win on Sunday, Mayor Durkan will send Mayor Genrich two growlers from Seattle’s unparalleled Georgetown Brewing, a selection of cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, and two bags of fresh coffee beans from Café Avole. When the Seahawks win, Mayor Genrich will send Mayor Durkan beer from Stillmank Brewing, cheese curds from Ron’s Wisconsin Cheese, and coffee from La Java Roasting House.
“Our Seahawks are the best team in the NFL, and with Beast Mode back, there’s no way we can be stopped,” said Mayor Durkan. “I hope Mayor Genrich and the Packers are ready to face the music when Russell Wilson (a former Wisconsin Badger) and our Hawks score a touchdown at Lambeau Field – remember this? A huge thank you to our friends at CityYear, Seattle Foundation, Georgetown Brewing, Beecher’s, and Café Avole for joining in on the fun.”
“Throughout the playoffs, we’ll issue Win-Win Playoff Challenges to the opposing communities, all the way to the Super Bowl,” said Mayor Genrich. “No pressure, Packers, but we want to see Green Bay’s generous spirit and our favorite colors displayed across the country this post-season!”
“We are proud to join with our partners in Green Bay in the spirit of community service,” shared Tony Mestres, President & CEO of Seattle Foundation. “This friendly wager is a fantastic way to highlight the critical work of nonprofits in both Seattle and Green Bay. Go Hawks!
Mayor Genrich and Dennis Buehler, President of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, created this fresh take on traditional challenges. Their aim was to leverage the NFL’s influence to highlight local needs and efforts. Each playoff city will benefit by bringing attention to community concerns and garnering volunteer time and talent, making it a “win-win” for everyone.
The Seahawks-Packers divisional match-up will take place this Sunday, January 12, at 3:40 p.m. PST in Green Bay.
