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NewsSt. Pete CatalystOctober 24, 2026Pinellas County

St. Petersburg and Milwaukee Mayors Launch Charity Challenge Around World Series

Photo: St. Pete Catalyst

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson have announced a friendly charitable wager tied to the World Series matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers. The mayor whose city raises less money for local community organizations must publicly wear the opposing team’s jersey and congratulate the winner. For St. Petersburg, donations benefit the St. Pete Free Clinic, while Milwaukee's funds support local homeless shelters through the United Way.

SportsCharityLocal GovernmentHousingCommunity Development
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Why It Matters

Residents are encouraged to donate to local food and housing support services while their respective cities compete in the baseball championship.

Key Facts

  • The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 1 of the World Series.
  • St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson established a friendly charity challenge tied to the series outcome.
  • The mayor representing the city that raises less money must wear the opposing team's jersey and publicly congratulate the winner.
  • St. Petersburg's fundraising beneficiary is the St. Pete Free Clinic.
  • Milwaukee's fundraising beneficiary is local homeless shelters supported through the United Way.
  • Residents can donate monetary contributions or drop off needed items at 25 participating St. Petersburg city facilities.
  • Mayor Welch owns a Milwaukee-made Harley-Davidson Road King Special motorcycle.
  • If the Brewers win, Mayor Welch will ride his motorcycle around St. Petersburg wearing a Brewers jersey.
  • If the Rays win, Mayor Johnson will wear a Rays jersey, walk along the Milwaukee RiverWalk, and light up a Milwaukee bridge in Rays colors.
  • This is the first time the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers have faced each other in a World Series.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationSt. Pete Free Clinic“Beneficiary organization in St. Petersburg providing food assistance and healthc”locationTropicana Field“St. Petersburg stadium hosting the Rays”PersonKen Welch“Mayor of St. Petersburg”locationMilwaukee“City whose mayor is participating in the wager”locationSt. Petersburg“City whose mayor is participating in the wager”OrganizationSt. Louis Cardinals“Team that defeated Milwaukee in the 1982 World Series”OrganizationSt. Pete Youth Farm“St. Petersburg organization contributing to gift exchange”OrganizationUnited States Conference of Mayors“Organization connecting mayors Welch and Johnson”locationPinellas County“County where St. Pete Free Clinic operates”locationMilwaukee RiverWalk“Location where Mayor Johnson would wear a Rays jersey if Milwaukee loses”PersonRachel Potter“Broadway performer mentioned in a headline tease”OrganizationKahwa Coffee“St. Petersburg business contributing to gift exchange”OrganizationGreen Bench Brewing Company“St. Petersburg business contributing to gift exchange”PersonCavalier Johnson“Mayor of Milwaukee”OrganizationUnited Way“Organization supporting Milwaukee homeless shelters”OrganizationPhiladelphia Phillies“Team that defeated Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series”OrganizationLos Angeles Dodgers“Team that defeated Tampa Bay in the 2020 World Series”OrganizationDalí Museum“St. Petersburg cultural organization contributing to gift exchange”