Make sure no child gets left behind

Just because the Bush administration doesn't want to properly fund the schools doesn't mean that kids should suffer. And while I don't always agree with my local paper on issues, I do agree that we need to help the students all we can:

They -- Coachella Valley students -- are the future. Yet, cash-strapped schools are unable to equip them with some of the basic essentials of the classroom -- plants and potting soil, addition/subtraction flash cards and magazines to learn about current events.

The wants and needs of students and schools in the Coachella Valley range from the basic -- Fiskar scissors, Spanish/English dictionaries and a volleyball net -- to the luxuries -- digital cameras, Alpha Smart Lab portable keyboards and camcorders.

No matter how much, or little, time or money you have, you can help.

In some cases it might cost you as little as $5 or as much as $8,000. In others, it might cost you an hour of your time. Your gift is tax deductible.

Interested in helping out? The paper is running a three part series listing schools and their needs, and who you can contact to help. (Pt 1. Pt 2.)

But you don't have to help out in the Coachella Valley alone. Why not get involved in your community as well? Call you local schools and find out how you can help. Cash strapped going into the holidays? Just an extra dictionary or two for the classroom can be a big help. Feeling a little more wealthy? Make a donation to after school programs. Need a big tax write off? Computers always make a nice gift. Even volunteering your time is a big help to these kids.

Don't give more than you can obviously, but give what you can. The children say thank you.