WE ❤️ NYC

By BOB KAPPSTATTER

 As the city gets back on its feet from the pandemic, Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, business, labor, and civic leaders are calling on Bronxites and other New Yorkers to show their love for it.

 They launched the “WE ❤️ NYC” campaign this week to ask New Yorkers to volunteer their time in various programs “to make sure this remains the greatest city in the world.”

 The campaign also hopes to be a general boost for tourism to help businesses that have struggled during the pandemic.

 A number of Bronx organizations will be among those supporting the post-pandemic resurgence of the city and its neighborhoods, officials said, by establishing partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and businesses “to reaffirm that New York City is the safest, cleanest, and most exciting place to live and work.”

 “From its iconic views and vibrant arts and culture to its thriving businesses and world-class cuisine, New York City represents some of the best that our state has to offer,” Governor Hochul said at the campaign kickoff in Times Square on Monday. “This WE ❤️ NYC campaign will help to capture that energy and preserve the city’s spirit by encouraging New Yorkers of every background to come together, get involved, and make a positive change in their community.”

 Mayor Adams, who noted he volunteers at a soup kitchen once a week, said “This city overcame the darkest days of the pandemic because of the selfless work of everyday New Yorkers, and if each of us gives just one hour a week in an act of service, the result will be transformative.”

 “The ‘WE ❤️ NYC’ campaign asks everyone who loves the greatest city in the world to show it by lending a helping hand and spreading that love to every block across all five boroughs,” he said.

 Bronx Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Sorin, who attended the campaign kick-off, said “The Bronx Chamber is delighted to participate and lend the voices and energy of our members to creating a stronger Bronx and New York City. “Collaboration includes robust tourism marketing, activating our borough and our people to have a positive influence and impact on the future of NYC, and comprehensive programs which engage with New Yorkers every day.  We are excited about the future of the Bronx and city, and hope you will join us in building an exciting NYC.”

 Bronxites and others can go to welovenyc.nyc to find opportunities to volunteer to help the city, with a number of activities already planned for the first eight weeks of the campaign, coordinated by the Partnership for New York business support group.

 The WE ❤️ NYC logo is a trademarked adaptation of Milton Glaser’s famous design for the “I ❤️ NY” campaign that launched in 1977 to help a struggling city get back on its feet. Both marks are owned by New York State’s Department of Economic Development, which made the adaptation available at no charge.