The Super Bowl isn't just a chance for two cities to cheer their home teams onto victory (though that said, go Birds). It's also an opportunity to make money.
Betting on the championship game is big business, as any casino, sports gambling site or informal work pool can attest. The impulse even extends to nonprofits and cultural institutes. Over the past two weeks, Philadelphia organizations have been throwing down the gauntlet by challenging their Kansas City counterparts to fundraising sprints and other friendly wagers. Here's a running list of the contests. Let's hope the Eagles win this thing; the dignity of an elephant statue is at stake.
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Philadelphia Zoo
You might think wild animals have no NFL allegiances, but you'd be wrong. The Philadelphia Zoo and Kansas City Zoo have once again come to an arrangement: If the Eagles win, the polar bear statue at the Kansas City Zoo will don Birds gear. But if the Chiefs triumph, the Philadelphia Zoo will hang the team's banner from its elephant statue. The winning hometown zoo will also make a donation to a Saving Animals from Extinction program at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The total will be $50 for each point scored.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
CHOP is squaring off against Children's Mercy Kansas City in the Football Fans for Kids Health fundraising competition. Each hospital has set a goal to hit $15,000 in donations by Super Bowl Sunday. The top fundraiser in this challenge won't earn anything but bragging rights, but the money supports the city's littlest Eagles fans.
Philabundance
Two years after their last showdown, Philabundance and Kansas City's Harvesters community food network are getting a rematch. The nonprofits are raising money to feed families in the Huddle to End Hunger Challenge. Each will accept donations until midnight on Monday, Feb. 10. While there are no losers in a charity race, it's worth noting that Philabundance raised roughly $116,000 during the last huddle, handily besting the Harvesters.
PAWS
After the Eagles' blowout victory over the Commanders, Philly PAWS clinched its final spot in the Shelter Showdown. The animal rescue will compete against the Great Plains SPCA in the fundraising contest, which has been running through the playoffs. It's not quite a Puppy Bowl, but PAWS did dress some of its dogs in Eagles jerseys for the occasion.
Philadelphia Youth Orchestra
Over 100 kid musicians have put their instruments on the line for the Eagles. The Philadelphia Youth Orchestra is betting on the Birds, and will play a song selected by the Youth Symphony of Kansas City if they lose. If they win, the YSKC will perform "Fly Eagles Fly" — with a lot more violin than you normally hear at the Linc.
Heights Philadelphia
A nonprofit that connects young people, especially from marginalized backgrounds, to jobs and colleges is hoping to outperform its Kansas City peer in a donation drive. Heights Philadelphia and Great Jobs KC are soliciting funds through Monday at 7 a.m., and the loser will pay a sticky price. The director of giving from the losing organization will be dunked in the winning city's signature sauce. That's cheese whiz for Philly, and Kansas City barbecue sauce for the other guys.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
The city could also gain or lose a priceless painting — temporarily — depending on how the Super Bowl shakes out. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has again bet the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City one of the master works in its collection, which will be loaned out if the Eagles lose. If they win, the Missouri museum has to send one of theirs. The shortlist of possible pieces is still being determined.
This story was updated with wagers from the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Heights Philadelphia and the art museum.
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