MEDIA ADVISORY

Mayor: Jennifer P. Dougherty

CONTACT: Nancy Gregg Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, December 17, 2003

CITY OF FREDERICK STAFF EARN EXTRA DAY OFF DURING THE HOLIDAYS WHILE HELPING THOSE IN NEED

Frederick, Md. ---- Last week City of Frederick Mayor Jennifer Dougherty announced a holiday challenge to City of Frederick employees. She challenged employees to raise 1000 pounds or more of canned and/or non-perishable foods by the morning of Wednesday, December 17th. The benefit would be two-fold! All food donated would go to the Frederick Food Bank, and if successful, all City offices would be closed on December 26, 2003.

The challenge meant that each City employee would need to donate 3-4 cans of food. Each City department rose to the challenge and as of 12 p.m., today, the City of Frederick staff had donated 2,663 pounds of non-perishable foods.

The Frederick Community Action Agency will coordinate collection and delivery of the goods.

“Your generosity will be shared by hundreds of families in our community who are less fortunate than many. I am pleased that we met the challenge! Enjoy the day with your families,” stated Mayor Dougherty.