Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign to Set World Record for Largest Shared Reading Experience

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Jumpstart's Read for the Record
 Campaign will set the world record for the number of children reading the
 same book on a single day, Thursday, August 24, 2006, as reading events are
 held throughout the United States, with major events in New York City,
 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Antonio and Washington, D.C.,
 among others. In Washington, D.C., local celebrities and government
 officials including Assistant Secretary of Education for Elementary and
 Secondary Education Henry Johnson and Tony Award winner Ben Vereen will
 raise awareness to the importance of early education and literacy
 development through the reading of the children's classic, The Little
 Engine That Could.
     The goal of Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign, a partnership
 among national nonprofit Jumpstart and its partners -- Starbucks Coffee
 Company, Pearson, Penguin, and American Eagle Outfitters -- is to increase
 nationwide understanding of the powerful learning relationships that all
 children need before they enter kindergarten. The Campaign will achieve
 this goal by raising awareness about the early education crisis, providing
 effective tools to address this crisis, and engaging Americans in the early
 learning experiences that put children on a course for success in school
 and life. Thanks to a unique charitable partnership developed among
 Jumpstart's corporate sponsors -- with Penguin Young Readers publishing the
 custom limited edition of The Little Engine That Could for the Campaign;
 Pearson underwriting 100% of publishing costs; and Starbucks retailing in
 5,000 stores across the country -- all proceeds from each sale of the $9.95
 book will benefit Jumpstart and its work with at-risk children.
      WHAT:  Jumpstart's Read for the Record Campaign
 
      WHEN:  Thursday, August 24th, 2006
             10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
 
       WHO:  Henry Johnson, Assistant Secretary of Education, Elementary and
             Secondary Education
             Rep. Jim Moran, (D) Virginia
             Dr. Clifford Janey, Superintendent, D.C. Public Schools
             Ben Vereen, Tony Award winner
             John Tarvin, Interim President, Jumpstart
             Kathy Costello, President, Pearson Early Learning
 
     WHERE:  The Library of Congress
             The Madison Building
             Montpelier Room, 6th floor
             101 Independence Avenue, SE
             Washington, DC 20540
 
     For more information go to http://www.readfortherecord.org
 
 

SOURCE Jumpstart