(Justmeans.com / CSR News) - Boston June 6, 2008—On Thursday, June 5, more than 150 young professionals gathered at Ristorante Fiore to launch Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is a national campaign designed to build awareness around America’s crisis in early childhood education and Jumpstart’s role in solving the crisis by breaking the world record for the greatest number of children reading the same book on the same day.

The event was sponsored by Bank of New York Mellon, who surprised guests by announcing a $30,000 increase in their contribution to Jumpstart.

In attendance were Kim Jacobs and former Boston Bruins player, Bob Sweeney. Both were on hand to present Jumpstart’s Northeast region with a check for $25,000, donated by the Boston Bruins.

A Campaign Corps Host Committee of young Boston professionals took part in hosting the event. Each committee member has made a pledge to host a summer fundraiser, create a personal book drive and raise at least $500 to support Jumpstart’s programming.

Guests sipped specialty sangria, proceeds of which were donated directly to Jumpstart. Silent auction and raffle ticket items included tickets to a 2008-2009 Bruins home game with a Zamboni ride, a signed basketball from the Boston Celtics, gift certificates to Zipcar, and Box seats to a Red Sox home game.

The event raised nearly $46,000 for Jumpstart and its programming.

Jumpstart is a national nonprofit organization that works toward the day when every young child in America enters school prepared to succeed. For more information on Jumpstart’s Read for the Record visit www.readfortherecord.org. For more information on Jumpstart, visit www.jstart.org.