David Lamere was in good company when he accepted an award from children's literacy group - First Lady Laura Bush.
Mr. Lamere, president of Mellon Financial Corp.'s private wealth management group, was at the group's awards gala last month in Boston to accept the "Literacy Champion Award" for Mellon's long-time involvement with . Mellon became the charity's first corporate partner in 1995 and since has given it grants totaling close to $1,000,000. Mrs. Bush, an advocate for children's literacy, also received an award for her support.
Mr. Lamere said Mellon is happy to lend financial support to the organization, which makes literacy and reading aloud part of the healthcare that pediatricians deliver to children every day. Through the program, doctors and nurses give thousands of books each year to children and their parents. Each year, more than 3 million books are distributed through 1,400 sites in all 50 states.