MEDIA ADVISORY
WHAT: 32nd annual Weight Watchers Battle of the Badges Check & Trophy Presentation
WHO: Gary Loesch, Deputy Fire Commissioner
Richard Ross, Police Commissioner
John Birnhak, Vice President, Philadelphia Weight Watchers
Ed Marks, President, IAFF Local 22
John McNesby, President, FOP Lodge 5
James Binns, Attorney and Chairman, Hero Thrill Show Inc.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.
WHERE: Police Headquarters lobby, 750 Race St., Philadelphia
The Police Department beat the Fire Department in the 32nd annual Battle of the Badges weight-loss competition. The series is now tied 16-16. On Thursday, Weight Watchers of Philadelphia will donate $10,000 in the Police Department’s name to the Hero Thrill Show Inc. PPD will also take custody of the trophy and championship banner.
This year, PPD entered 293 participants in the 13-week contest, while the PFD had 126 members competing. The departments lost a combined total of 3,807 pounds. In 32 years of competition, the total weight for both departments is 199,580.64 pounds.
The Hero Thrill Show Inc. provides scholarship funds for children of Philadelphia firefighters and police officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. With this year’s donation, Weight Watchers has given more than $277,500 for scholarships.