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Days
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The Roots that Anchor Us

Our History

Michael & Dameon

In 1992, six-month-old Michael Leeland was diagnosed with leukemia and desperately needed a bone marrow transplant to save his life. With no way to pay for the transplant, Michael’s parents, Jeff and Kristi, didn’t know where to turn.

As a middle school teacher, Jeff taught a class where Dameon, a big-hearted kid, was a student. After hearing of his teacher’s situation, Dameon emptied his bank account, donating his entire savings ($60) to hopefully make some kind of difference for Michael.

A chain reaction of compassion and generosity followed. Students and staff rallied the community to raise over $227,000 in under four weeks, which allowed Michael to receive his life saving transplant.

Four years after Dameon’s selfless gift, Sparrow Clubs USA was born, using a simple, yet powerful service model that ignites compassion and empathy in students wherever it is introduced.

Our History of Growth

February 1992

Michael Leeland

Kirkland, WA – 7-month-old Michael Leeland is diagnosed with leukemia…in need of a bone marrow transplant to save his life.

February 1992

May 1992

Dameon Sharkey

12-year-old Dameon Sharkey empties his savings account and gives all he has ($60) to Jeff Leeland, Dameon’s teacher and baby Michael’s father

May 1992

June 1992

Kamiakin Junior High

Inspired by Dameon’s selfless gift, students of Kamiakin Junior High and the surrounding communities raise over $227,000 in less than 4 weeks to help save Michael’s life.

June 1992

August 1992

Cancer Free

Michael is declared cancer free…his life is saved.

August 1992

August 1994

Published

“One Small Sparrow,” the story of Michael’s journey and Dameon’s original act of kindness, written by Jeff Leeland is published.

August 1994

December 21, 1994

The Sparrow Foundation

The Sparrow Foundation is officially registered as a non-profit charity in the state of Washington.

December 21, 1994

December, 1995

First Sparrow

Very first Sparrow adopted – Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, WA

December, 1995

November 30, 1999

Central Oregon

First Sparrow adopted in Central Oregon. Central Oregon Region is officially established.

November 30, 1999

1996 – 2000

40 Sparrows

40 Sparrows adopted over the first 5 years as a non-profit organization. This was accomplished without paid staff.

1996 – 2000

January 1, 2001

First Full-time Employee

Jeff Leeland becomes the Sparrow Clubs USA’s first full-time employee.

January 1, 2001

November 11, 2001

Southern Oregon

First Sparrow adopted in Southern Oregon. Southern Oregon Region is officially established.

November 11, 2001

October 17, 2002

Portland, Oregon

First Sparrow adopted in Portland, Oregon

October 17, 2002

October 28, 2002

100th Sparrow

Sparrow Clubs USA adopts its 100th Sparrow!

October 28, 2002

November 6, 2002

Sparrow Clubs USA

“The Sparrow Foundation” is officially and legally changed to “Sparrow Clubs USA”.

November 6, 2002

September 2003

Headquarters in Bend, OR

Sparrow Clubs USA Office Headquarters established in Bend, Oregon.

September 2003

December 31, 2005

$1 Million Raised

First $1 million raised for kids, by kids

December 31, 2005

May 2006

Portland Region

Sparrow Clubs USA Portland Region is officially established.

May 2006

October 2011

TV Episode

Sparrow Clubs USA featured on a 2-hour episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

October 2011

2012-2017

Growing

Sparrow Clubs USA continues to grow and expand, impacting even more students in Southern Oregon, Central Oregon, and Portland, and launching  new clubs in small pockets of Washington and elsewhere.

2012-2017

December 15, 2017

Arizona

First Sparrow adopted in Arizona

December 15, 2017

2017-2020

Flourishing

The Sparrow program continues to flourish throughout Oregon and makes progress in more Arizona schools.

2017-2020

March 2020

Sparrow Virtual Experience

Sparrow Clubs develops the “Sparrow Virtual Experience” to still serve families and impact students during the Covid-19 pandemic.

March 2020

February 25, 2022

Willamette Valley

First Sparrow adopted in Eugene, launching the new Willamette Valley Region to fill in the gap between Roseburg and Salem.

February 25, 2022