America's Top Broadcast Journalists Are 'Up For Grabs' in Online Charity Auction Benefiting Communities in Schools

America's Top Broadcast Journalists Are 'Up For Grabs' in Online Charity Auction Benefiting Communities in Schools

James Carville, Sam Donaldson, George Stephanopoulos, Bob Schieffer and Chris Jansen to Participate in Lunch With A Leader(TM)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Some of the country's most respected journalists are lending their names and their time to help kids stay in school in the fourth annual Communities In Schools Lunch With A Leader(TM) online celebrity auction. The auction, which begins February 10 on eBay, will benefit Communities In Schools, the nation's largest dropout prevention organization.

"It is very gratifying to see that the same people who report the most dynamic and significant news of the day recognize dropout prevention as an important issue," says Bill Milliken, founder and vice chairman, Communities In Schools. "We are thrilled to have these great journalists supporting our Lunch With A Leader(TM) online celebrity auction."

Through Lunch With A Leader, dozens of celebrities donate an hour of their time to be auctioned off to the highest bidder on eBay. The high bidder wins a memorable lunch or a great piece of memorabilia, and the proceeds benefit the work of Communities In Schools. Book lovers can bid on one of two autographed copies of The Modern Girl's Guide to Life by best-selling author Jane Buckingham, or a signed copy of Lu and the Swamp Ghost by political consultant and CNN commentator James Carville.

Now in its fourth year, Lunch With A Leader has attracted more than 300 celebrity leaders who, through their participation, directly impact the lives of young people at risk of dropping out of school. Communities In Schools' 1 percent expense ratio ensures that proceeds from the online auction will go directly towards helping kids stay in school and prepare for life.

In addition to this impressive array of journalists, singer Alicia Keys, actress Jenna Elfman, NASCAR legend Richard Petty and Starbucks president and CEO Jim Donald have joined such personalities as Patti LaBelle, Kevin Eubanks, Senator Richard Burr of North Carolina, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Matt Leinart and dozens of others in support of Communities In Schools. The auction begins on February 10 and ends February 20.

Sponsors of this year's Lunch With A Leader include: ICAP(R), Cox Communications, Bloomberg, Capital One Financial Corporation, UBS, Comcast Corporation, CVS/pharmacy, PT Research, Inc., Fannie Mae Foundation and The Washington Times.

Founded in 1977, Communities In Schools is headquartered in Alexandria, Va. Today, nearly one million young people every year receive direct services through more than 200 Communities In Schools affiliates in 28 states. For two years in a row, Worth magazine named Communities In Schools one of the 100 top nonprofits in America.

Source: Communities In Schools

CONTACT: Deborah Veney Robinson of Communities In Schools,
+1-703-518-2545, +1-703-615-5476, or robinsond@cisnet.org

Web site: http://www.cisnet.org/
http://www.lunchwithaleader.org/

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