In 1992, my wife Kristi and I were in a predicament. Our baby Michael had weeks to live. He needed a bone marrow transplant. It cost $200,000. My insurance refused to pay. As a teacher, I couldn't afford it either.

That's when Dameon, probably the most picked-on kid in my junior high, emptied his bank account, came to school and handed me twelve, five dollar-bills to help save Michael's life.

The principal, Steve Mezich, started a bank account for Michael with Dameon's $60 of hope. Students at Kamiakin Jr High rallied with passion behind Dameon's donation. The whole community rallied behind them. In less than four weeks, kids sparked a drive that raised over $227,000 for Michael's life-saving transplant--donated by his brave, 7 year-old sister Amy.

At school, Dameon became a hero too. Today Michael is full-of-life; a happy and healthy, 14 year-old young gentleman of great character and integrity. And through our ordeal, I learned a powerful lesson in life ... Kids will do heroic things, when they have heroic things to do.

In 1995 I published Michael's story in a book titled, One Small Sparrow; The Remarkable Drama of a little boy's fight for life ... and the compassion that continues to save." The book was dedicated to launch the kids-helping-kids organization called Sparrow Clubs USA (originally known as Sparrow Foundation). It was inspired by the positive impact that one small child could have on many, many teens—and that many youth could have on one child and family in need.

Sparrow Clubs USA has now adopted over 500 sparrows ... (children in medical crisis) to students who have raised over $2.5 million for their care. In the process, over 150 thousand hours of community service have been accomplished by participating youth who are inspired to volunteer on behalf of their child.

The community service aspect of Sparrow Clubs is what makes the organization unique as both a charitable and educational agency—facilitating help for families (by raising sponsored Sparrow Cash) and by putting a “heartbeat” to the service-learning and character building agendas of school districts. When kids do hundreds of hours of good work in the community for each Sparrow they adopt, three amazing dynamics also take place:

First, the Sparrow family experiences a dimension of deeper meaning and higher purpose to the journey they have endured—often alone. As they bear the burden of their child in medical crisis, knowing that kids are being inspired to serve others because of their child greatly encourages, ennobles and strengthens them. They feel their Sparrow is more of an “inspiration” than merely a “charity-case”.

Second, the school climate where the Sparrow Club exists can positively and dramatically change. A greater sense of unity and grace permeates the school culture as kids serve the community in the common cause of helping their adopted Sparrow.

And third, the businesses and community members that help fund and facilitate each Sparrow Project experience an amazing return on their investment. Through their sponsorship, when one child is helped entire schools and commuities are helped as well.

The Rest of the Story ... In October of 2000, eight years after Dameon had reached out to save our son, Michael, our beloved hero was struck with an illness. Unexpectedly and suddenly …God called our friend Dameon home.

Earlier that fall, Dameon came and visited our family. He shared with me the reason why he believed every school should have a Sparrow Club. His simple statement changed my world:

"Kids need sanctuary in schools.", he said.

Having been a public school teacher for 15 years, Dameon's words resonated in me ... for every child in the hospital, like Michael, there are hundreds more like Dameon; the walking wounded of the school hallways--emotionally hurting and mislabeled socially by the hidden curriculum of school culture. It’s not the 3 R's kids feel most pressured to measure-up to anymore, it’s the 4 B's "beauty, brawn, bank accounts and brains" ... that’s where they feel downgraded the most!

Dameon's words soon became my mission. Leaving my career, I began building sanctuary in schools through fulltime work with Sparrow Clubs in January 2001. By adopting a Sparrow to a student body, we have discovered a subtle but very positive and effective influence that can disarm the negative culture of an entire school.

I’m humbled to say that our program is gaining great awareness and is rapidly expanding nationwide. In the 2005-06 school year alone, we distributed over $600,000 to 143 Sparrow families. Students did approximately 50,000 hours of community service to “earn” their sponsored “Sparrow Cash” in support of their Sparrows.

But we have not been able to advance this cause without the support of wonderful people like you. Please consider a tax deductible gift to help kids learn to care for one another and their communities--and build a sense of sanctuary for us all.

Many blessings. Thanks for your support!
Jeff Leeland
Founder and Director