BUFFALO, N.Y.—The Buffalo Bills and M&T Bank have kicked off their fifth annual “Touchdown for Teachers” program, which honors local teachers for their outstanding service to their schools and communities.
During the Nov. 17, 2013 Buffalo Bills home game vs. the New York Jets, five selected finalists will receive:
• Two (2) tickets to the Bills home game on Nov. 17
• Pre-game field access to watch warm-ups
• In-game recognition on the video board
• An official Buffalo Bills game ball
The Touchdown for Teachers grand prize winner will be announced at the Nov. 17 game and will receive an in-class visit from a Buffalo Bills player and a $1,000 grant to the winning teacher’s school. In addition, the nominators for each of the five finalists will receive two tickets to the game.
Honorees are chosen based on their amount of involvement in the school or community, degree of positive impact and their demonstrated commitment to education. Honorees must be nominated through the application form, found on www.buffalobills.com/teachers, and submitted no later than Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. All honorees will be notified no later than Monday, Nov. 11, 2013.
“The Touchdown for Teachers program, in its fifth consecutive year, has proven to be one of our most rewarding programs,” said Bruce Popko, Bills Senior VP of Business Development. “Teachers are the backbone of our educational system, and to be able to honor their efforts coincides with the focus that both M&T Bank and the Bills have in recognizing the outstanding members of our community.”
“Teachers are extremely important role models for our children, and provide them with guidance and opportunity,” said Bills running back Fred Jackson. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without support from the teachers and mentors that I had growing up.”
“Teachers play pivotal role in the development of our children each and every day, and they deserve to be recognized and honored for their hard work and dedication,” said Darren King, Executive Vice President of Retail Banking for M&T Bank. “We hope students and parents in the participating counties will all take a moment to thank and appreciate those teachers working hard to inspire learning.”
Information and nomination forms are available on www.buffalobills.com/teachers. They can be submitted online, downloaded and mailed to the Buffalo Bills attention Erica Muhleman at One Bills Drive, Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127, or faxed to 716.312.8603. Teachers nominated must live in the following counties:
Buffalo-Area:
• Erie
• Wyoming
• Genesee
• Orleans
• Niagara
• Chautauqua
• Cattaraugus
• Allegany
Rochester-Area:
• Monroe
• Wayne
• Livingston
• Ontario
• Yates
Pennsylvania:
• McKean County (Erie to Pittsburgh)
Canada:
• Ontario
M&T Bank is the Official Bank of the Buffalo Bills and the exclusive provider of Bills checks and check cards. Further information about different fan contests and promotions through M&T Bank is available at www.facebook.com/mybillscard.
About M&T Bank
M&T Bank was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1856, and is one of the top 20 independent commercial bank holding companies in the U.S., with $83 billion in assets and more than 725 branch offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.mtb.com.
© 2013 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.
About the Buffalo Bills
Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills have won two American Football League (AFL) Championships (1964 - 1965) and won an NFL record four straight AFC Championships (1990 - 1993) that included four trips to the Super Bowl. The Bills pride themselves on being actively involved in the Western New York community by establishing player outreach programs, supporting educational and community service initiatives, encouraging health and wellness and providing opportunities for local youth football players. Under the guidance of Hall of Fame member and original team founder, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., the Bills are proud to be a member of the Western New York community for over 50 years. For more information regarding the Bills in the Community, visit buffalobills.com, call (716) 648-1800, become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/buffalobills, or follow the Bills on Twitter at twitter.com/buffalobills.
For further information:
Julia Shanahan
(716) 842-5385