Press Release

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: pr@taprootfoundation.org
212-522-1307 / Alex Romano

INSPIRATIONAL CHILDREN'S BOOK LAUNCHED IN CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono provides families with a forum to talk about the role of service in professional careers

NEW YORK, NY, April 20, 2009 -- Monday, April 20th kicks off National Volunteer Week-the week President Obama is expected to sign the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. At this moment in history increasing numbers of Americans are engaging in service. Busloads signed up to help President Obama reach the White House. Many more have chosen to donate their time to their community as the harsh social realities of an economic crisis become apparent. One story that adds to this shifting focus on service in our nation is the release of Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono-a book written by Kara and Aaron Hurst to help business professionals engage their families in a discussion around serving their communities through pro bono work.

"We are at a historic time in our nation where what it means to have a successful career is being reevaluated, and service is increasingly a part of the lives of most American professionals," stated Aaron Hurst, President and Founder of the Taproot Foundation and co-author of Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono. "We hope this book will challenge parents to view their careers through the eyes of their children and to instill the service ethic in the next generation."

The book features marketing, IT and HR professionals along with writers, accountants, graphic designers, consultants, engineers, architects, lawyers and doctors to showcase what is involved in the commercial work of these careers side-by-side with examples of how they can leverage their skills through pro bono service to make a difference and strengthen nonprofits. Through the eyes of a child one character describes her father's career: "My daddy is an HR manager. He helps to hire people for jobs at his work." She continues, "He uses his skills pro bono to help injured soldiers get new jobs when they come back from war."

"Working professionals have an opportunity to be role models to their children and they don't have to be astronauts or ballerinas to do so," said Kara Hurst, co-author of Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono. "Parents act as these models by first demonstrating commitments to service through their work and by then finding ways to communicate the significance of the work they do to their kids. We hope this book will provide a tool to help start those conversations within families."

The Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit leading the national pro bono service movement, published Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono. Aaron Hurst founded Taproot Foundation in 2001 to strengthen nonprofits by engaging business professionals in pro bono service. Proceeds from the book will benefit Taproot Foundation programs.

Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono is on sale via Amazon.com for $15.95. Companies and other organizations can also do institutional bulk orders directly from the Taproot Foundation by contacting them via email at alex@taprootfoundation.org.

To learn more about Mommy and Daddy Do It Pro Bono, check out the website www.doitprobono.org.

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