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Letters to the Editor

Give children the gift of education

‘Tis the season of giving, so why not give the gift of education?

Education is a prized possession that can be the key to success and for some in Fresno County, the key out of poverty or a low-income life.

Children who grow up in poverty often have a hard time succeeding due to all the other factors that come with economic instability. Education is a gift and in order to help children and especially those dealing with poverty, the best thing to do is give back.

By giving back, I mean volunteering at a school or as a mentor or volunteering as for programs like Reading and Beyond. Programs like Reading and Beyond help students with schoolwork and also provide mentors.

In order for a child to prioritize education, there needs to be people around them who value education. An encounter with a child from an unstable home life could create a long-lasting impact on their lives, and I hope, one that will benefit them in the long run.

Giving the gift of education means a possible end of poverty and getting a child to new academic heights.

Mirissa Diaz, Merced

This story was originally published December 9, 2015 at 5:54 AM with the headline "Give children the gift of education."

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