Making a Comeback: The Sparrow Assembly

For years I’ve written prayers and private reflections in small journals. Most end-up in a plastic tub in our garage. I did do a book from many journal entries. It’s about our son, Michael, when he was a baby. It’s a quick read, “One Small Sparrow”. (I used to sell encycloped...ias too :-))

Speaking of the book, I went to my first Sparrow Club assembly in two years two weeks ago. No longer working for Sparrow Clubs, I was simply a fly on the wall—actually on the bleachers with a few hundred 11 to 14 yr olds. It launched the “Sparrow for Emerson” project at Elton Gregory Middle School in Redmond OR. And once again, I cried. If you've never been to a Sparrow assembly you gotta go ... with Kleenex.

The thirty minute assembly in a nutshell: Starts with an inspiring kick-off speaker (Dr. Jon Bullock did a great job btw) / inspiring middle school video “Special Effects” ( it’s about CGI: compassion, generosity, integrity) / inspiring speaker speaks again (a minute or so about 12 yr old Dameon helping Michael—the sparrow story) / show “Sparrow for Emerson” I-Movie (heartfully created by Kristi Leeland) / Sparrow advisor (teacher from school) introduces Emerson and family and challenges students to adopt him--in a friendship way--by doing community service and fundraising to help with family’s medical bills and basic needs. Community service sponsors were introduced too. And before the kids were excused, they all stood in unison. A schoolwide commitment to help Emerson!

A likeable little boy just turned 11, Emerson is a special elementary student next door. His brother Mason attends Elton Gregory. Emerson’s got a rare seizure disorder—sometimes gets hundreds a day. He has a surgical implant in his chest and special glasses to help stop the seizures. His parents drive him across the mountains for medical visits. They didn’t ask for the help (but I knew they needed it). Humbly and gratefully they accepted it.

Then Emerson took the mic from the teacher and confidently addressed the crowd “I-I-I a-a-a appreciate you … y-y-you my friends ... and I-I-I like you, too … b-b-but I l-l-like your t-t-teachers better!” Everybody laughed. Many wiped their eyes. Emerson was "feelin the love" with hugs and high fives as students left the gym.

Kids will do heroic things when they have heroic things to do. When they change a life by doing good, their lives change for good. After the assembly it remained a wonderful mystery to me ... this thing called Sparrow Clubs.See More

Sparrow Clubs USA - Kids Helping Kids In Medical Need
http://www.sparrowclubs.org/

Sparrow Clubs is proof that you’re never too young to make a difference. As the nation’s only youth-based charity of its kind, Sparrow Clubs not only provides financial and emotional support for critically ill children and their families.....