Entertainment

"Reading Rainbow" Kickstarter campagin gets hand from Seth MacFarlane

/ CBS/AP

LeVar Burton says his "Reading Rainbow" fundraising effort is getting a generous boost from Seth MacFarlane.

Burton said Thursday that the filmmaker and "Family Guy" creator has promised to match up to $1 million in pledges made on the Kickstarter website. The offer from MacFarlane is in effect through 3 p.m. Eastern on July 2, Burton said in a statement.

The "Star Trek: Next Generation" star hosted the children's literacy program that aired on public television through 2009.

"Reading Rainbow" was launched as a tablet app in 2012, and Burton aims to expand its reach with a $5 monthly online version. The Kickstarter campaign topped its $1 million donation goal less than 24 hours after it officially launched.

So far, more than $4 million has been pledged by 83,000-plus contributors.

Burton says his pal MacFarlane jumped in after hearing that "Reading Rainbow" needed to raise at least $5 million.

First published on June 26, 2014 / 3:51 PM EDT

© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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