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The Big Game At MetLife Means Big Money For City Charity Projects

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- The big game will be coming to the New York area in February and on Thursday the league joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg to announce the donation of big money a number of charity projects across the city.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Jets owner Robert Wood Johnson IV, New York Giants Co-Owner Jonathan Tisch, Super Bowl Host Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Al Kelly, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined Mayor Bloomberg in making the announcement.

NFL Foundation, Mayor Bloomberg Announce Funding For Citywide Projects

More than $1,000,000 contributed by the NFL Foundation and the NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Committee along with coordination from the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City will be used for projects that include the renovation of Mahoney Playground on Staten island, a new football field at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, a new gym at Hammel Community center in Rockaway Beach, a football field at the Kips Bay Boys and Girls club, renovation of the gym and teen center at the Educational Alliance Boys and Girls in Manhattan, and a new playground at The Sandy Ground in Rockaway.

The charitable initiatives are a part of the Host Committee's Snowflake Youth Foundation, 1010 WINS reported.

"New York City is thrilled to be co-hosting the Super Bowl this year not only because of the excitement and economic activity it will generate, but also because of the NFL's commitment to giving back," said Mayor Bloomberg. "With projects like a playground renovation in Staten Island and a new football field in the Bronx, the NFL Foundation and the Host Committee promise to leave a lasting impact and provide more opportunities for young New Yorkers to get out and play."

Commissioner Goodell said that beyond the enjoyment that fans get out of the game, which will be played in February at Metlife Stadium, it was important to make a positive impact on the surrounding communities.

"We know that Super Bowl XLVIII will thrill the thousands of fans watching in MetLife Stadium, but we want to ensure that the game impacts many more people in the surrounding communities," said Goodell. "We are proud that these revitalization projects will create a lasting legacy for families throughout the five boroughs long after the final whistle on Super Bowl Sunday."

Donations made by the NFL Foundation to Super Bowl legacy programs are matched by a number of local private and public donations.

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