The Sparrow Clubs Story

When Michael Leeland was born August 19, 1991 he was the picture of a happy and healthy baby boy. Our blonde haired, blue eyed baby had a bright sparkle in his eyes. But in February 1992 a terrifying illness appeared. Michael was only seven months old when my wife, Kristi, told me the doctor’s devastating report over the phone. Our son was dying of leukemia. He had deadly cancer and only a bone marrow transplant could save his life.

Then, only a few weeks later, we tragically learned that our medical insurance wouldn’t cover Michael’s transplant until a one-year waiting period. But our baby wasn’t going to make it that long! He had fallen through the cracks of the health care system.

In May of 1992 we learned that time was running out for Michael to have his transplant. That was when Dameon Sharkey heard of my predicament and saw hope beyond our overwhelming need. Dameon was a struggling, picked on seventh grade kid who was transferred into my adaptive P.E. class - a boy who knew rejection well. Dameon came into my office with his mom. He had wiped out his entire savings and boldly extended me his 12 five-dollar bills saying, “Mr. Leeland, you’re my partner. If your little boy’s in trouble I want to help you out.”

I was stunned by Dameon’s gift. I hugged him before he proudly walked out of my office with his mother close behind. I said, “Dameon, you’re the kind of guy I’d bring to the trenches with me!” Dameon’s heartwarming gift brought me to the school principal, Steve Mezich. With Dameon’s $60 we opened a special account, The Michael Leeland Fund, at a nearby bank.

The other students of Kamiakin Junior High were inspired by Dameon’s gift. They gave what they could, and as we watched in amazement, these young people persuaded their neighbors, friends, and caring strangers to pour out overwhelming help.

In less than four weeks after Dameon had given me his $60 gift of hope, Michael’s fund held more than $220,000 – more than enough for Michael’s transplant.

There was no time to spare. Michael’s seven year old sister Amy bravely donated her healthy bone marrow – a rare perfect match. After 50 days in the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the transplant was a success. Today, Michael is a healthy nine year old, spreading his wings – cancer-free.

In February of 1993 I began writing a book that chronicled our family’s drama of Michael’s life being saved. The book was inspired by a prayer journal I kept during Michael’s long hospital stays. In that journal I recorded my deep heart-cries to God. With Michael’s miraculous healing came a desire for a ministry of helping others. It was in the writing, I believe, that Sparrow Clubs USA (formerly the Sparrow Foundation) was being birthed in me.

When my book, One Small Sparrow, was soon to be published in August of 1994, I was struggling for a way to give back. Our family had reserve funds left for Michael’s and our family’s future needs and I knew the book would bring in some money as well. We had been immensely blessed and we wanted to have a way to share the spirit of grace that saved our little boy.

We had seen the hardships of many other families in our shoes – the financial dilemma of increased medical expenses added to the emotional burden of caring for an ill child. We felt compelled to help other families with children in medical need. However, it was the students at Kamiakin who planted the seed in my heart about what our charity must be.

The idea struck me one morning that August. Rather than give money directly to families with medically needy children, we would establish a charity that gives this priviledge and blessing to young people. The students at Kamiakin had given me a vision for a national charity that funded and facilitated classrooms of compassion -- young people helping kids in medical need.

I called a meeting right away with our attorney, Roger Lageschulte, and the two trustees of the Michael Leeland Fund; Kamiakin principal, Steve Mezich and an accountant, Jerry Skipton. Everyone embraced the notion wholeheartedly and agreed to the idea of appropriating a portion of Michael’s fund to start a new foundation focused on the idea of youth-centered charity.

The more I thought about it, the more excited I became. Dameon was a perfect example of the empowerment, ennoblement and esteem that comes from helping others. He had become a hero at school and his life turned around for the good. His father told me we’d be missing the target if we didn’t focus on the youth who are helping. “No one will ever be able to take away what Dameon’s been able to do for your boy” , he said.

Four months later, in December of 1994, The Sparrow Foundation was officially registered as a non-profit charity in the State of Washington. The founding board members included myself, Jeff Leeland, founder and executive director; Don Jacobson president; Steve Mezich vice president; Dr. Donald Douglass secretary and Mike Baldassin treasurer.