A CNN report uncovers the truth about public education budgets that are being slashed in the wake of economic tumult, prompting philanthropist Harry Sargeant to appeal for increased giving to educational causes

PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Many of our United States are facing significant budget restrictions, and, according to a new report from CNN, education is often one of the first things to be slashed. In the report, written by Pennsylvania educator Sara Ferguson, CNN highlights the extent to which many states are hacking their budgets for public education, including an $860 million cut in the State of Pennsylvania alone. Ferguson notes that public school of funding is being slashed even as the number of students who need public education rises, and that many teachers face uncertainty over their paychecks. The sobering article has drawn the attention of philanthropist Harry Sargeant, who sees the CNN report as an urgent call for individual donors to increase their giving to educational funds.

Harry Sargeant is a long-time advocate of both educational and medical giving, and has raised funds and made private donations to various education-minded charities. He says the CNN report underscores the urgent need that all young people have for educational options, and also shows that philanthropic giving might be the best and only way to make such options available.

Indeed, CNN's report notes that an "inequitable system" of public school funding leaves young people with very different opportunities for education. According to Harry Sargeant, private donations and philanthropic work on behalf of our schools could provide the answer to better educational opportunities for kids everywhere.

Of course, charitable giving has declined in recent years, due largely to economic tumult, but Harry Sargeant says philanthropic work on behalf of education should be a top priority, a sentiment affirmed by the CNN report. Historically, Harry Sargeant notes, donations to schools have come largely from individuals rather than corporations, with large gifts proving more effective than numerous smaller donations. In these hard times, however, Harry Sargeant calls on school fundraising organizations to get creative with their methods—and for individuals to be generous when it comes to funding our children's future.

ABOUT:

Harry Sargeant is a businessman and a philanthropist whose work involves advocacy on behalf of numerous medical and educational foundations across the country. In many of his philanthropic endeavors he is joined by wife Deborah. The two are currently serving as co-chairs of the Bethesda Ball, on behalf of the Bethesda Hospital Foundation.

SOURCE Harry Sargeant

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