CAMBRIDGE – It’s busy at Walmart and the Hyatt, but not too busy to volunteer to help children.

Workers from the Cambridge Supercenter Store 2272 and the Regency Resort took time from their days on Oct. 21 to visit Sandy Hill Elementary School, where they promoted literacy by reading to kindergarteners.

A statement from the school said, “Children with strong literacy and language skills are more likely to succeed in kindergarten, and a love of reading can foster a love of learning that will benefit children in kindergarten and for years to come.”

The event was part of the Jumpstart project, begun more than 20 years ago by four college students, who decided to offer individual attention to children from under-resourced communities at a young age. Their idea was to help provide the children with academic and social skills to give them the “jumpstart” to succeed.

“The idea took hold and today Jumpstart has trained more than 45,000 college students and community volunteers, preparing nearly 100,000 children for kindergarten success. Jumpstart’s program is replicated across the country in 14 states and the District of Columbia,” a statement on the group’s website said.

Jumpstart is celebrating the 1The Dorchester County Judy Center provided each child with a copy of the book to take home and read with their families. A statement from school administrators said, “Parents and caregivers, please take a moment to enjoy this wonderful book as we work together to develop children’s language and literacy skills.”

To learn more about Jumpstart, visit www.jstart.org. To contact Sandy Hill Elementary School, call 410-228-7978. To reach the Judy Center, call 410-221-5268.