Dear friends of Tyler and the Eklund family,

As the community continues to rally around Tyler and his family in an amazing way, I thought it would be helpful to give a "bird's-eye view" of things through the Sparrow Clubs lense.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Tyler, community fundraising and how Sparrow Clubs works to support the efforts.

FAQ #1: There are many people and community fundraising events happening for Tyler . What is Sparrow Clubs role and who is working with you?   

Sparrow Clubs raises support for kids in medical crisis?and sets the stage for kids to heroically help them. It's what we do best.  As a tax-exempt charity organization we have a time-tested system to properly deposit, receipt, manage and disburse funds to families who have children qualified under our guidelines.

Tyler is our 35^th Sparrow to be adopted in Central Oregon just this school year! Last year students in this region helped 29 sparrows and served over 12,000 hours in our communities in the process. Last year Sparrow Clubs USA also supported 143 Sparrow families by disbursing approximately $600,000 entirely for their needs.

Donations for Tyler 's family will be directed to a designated Sparrow Clubs account called: Sparrow for Tyler Eklund (Click to see Tyler 's sparrow video). US Bank will also continue to service the community-wide effort by receiving donations for the same fund.

Tyler's Sparrow Club assembly was Friday (4/13) at High Desert Middle School sponsored by Bend Broadband to officially launch his Sparrow Project. The following link is from NewsChannel 21 Online at KTVZ.com which shows a video of the assembly.
School raising $100,000 for Tyler Eklund Updated: 6:56 PM , Apr. 13, 2007

Next Friday, April 20^th, there will be another all-school assembly at Tyler's former elementary school?Elk Meadow?with Sparrow Cash challenged by Mt Bachelor Corporation and Mt Bachelor Sports Education Foundation.

Several other schools involved with Sparrow Clubs are joining in the effort for Tyler. However, we are counseling them to make sure they do not neglect their current Sparrow in the process.

We support other businesses and individuals that want to get behind any Sparrow Project. The Sparrow Clubs point person for servicing community efforts for Tyler's project is David Phillips dphillips@sparrowclubs.org with assistance from Nancy Childers nancy@sparrowclubs.org ..  541.312.8630 office

FAQ #2: What are Tyler and the Eklund family's immediate needs and how can we help them most right now?

Tyler is now in the hospital in Reno NV at the Renown Medical Center. Long-term needs and related expenses are difficult to project at this point. We know that short-term needs and family expenses could quickly reach $100,000?which is the goal of High Desert Middle School kids to raise. Away from home, work, family and friends?and carrying the emotional weight of their son's tragic injury-- mom and dad have been uplifted by your prayers and practical help. Sparrow Clubs is committed to relieving these burdens on your behalf.  We believe the best practical way to help right now is simply give an amount that is meaningful to you! See the next question to see how.

FAQ #3: How does Sparrow Clubs handle donations and the specific funds for kids like Tyler Eklund?or any other Sparrow?

Sparrow Clubs sets up a designated tax-exempt project account to accept donations for each qualified Sparrow ? in this case "Sparrow for Tyler Eklund". 100% of every designated donation for "Sparrow for Tyler" is earmarked to help pay for medical expenses and maintenance for his family including travel, food, housing, utilities and other practical needs. Every penny is dedicated to the needs of the Sparrow and family.  A significant feature for many Sparrow families is that support directed through Sparrow Clubs does not jeopardize benefits from SSI or Medicaid.

FAQ #4: How do the community service vouchers work and how does this raise money for Sparrows?

Designated donations that individuals give for Sparrows like Tyler are secondary to the school's adoption of the child as a "Sparrow Project".  Sparrow Clubs puts on an all-school assembly where the entire student body is inspired to adopt the child as their "Sparrow". The students are also challenged to serve the community and document their hours on vouchers called "Sparrow Checks". See Community Service Vouchers. Each hour earns credit toward raising $2,560 in Sparrow Cash that is sponsored by a local business. The sponsor underwrites other program costs so the services are free to the school and family. To validate their community service, students are required to write a reflection on the back of the vouchers,  "What helping my sparrow has meant to me."  At the closure of the project, all the vouchers, service hours and reflections are accounted for and reported to the school and sponsor.  The Sparrow families are then presented with all the vouchers to read and cherish as momentos of the impact their child's life has made on many kids and the community.

FAQ #5: What is the Sparrow Clubs USA overall mission?

Sparrow Clubs exists to set the stage for simple yet heroic acts of kindness in schools and youth culture by kids helping kids in medical crisis.  Every child has a gift. Sparrow Clubs helps each one find it. We believe that kids can do heroic things?but they need heroic things to do. With rising violence, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and despair among our nation's youth, it is critically important that we provide them with meaningful experiences that give purpose, teach compassion, and instill character, dignity and a sense of community. Sparrow Clubs accomplishes this through service learning opportunities that let kids discover the hero and gifts that are within themselves, by helping local children in medical need.

FAQ #6: How is Sparrow Clubs able to dedicate 100% of Sparrow funds like Tyler's to the family's needs and still continue to operate?

Sparrow Clubs USA's track record over the past ten years shows remarkable efficiency. Historically, administration & fundraising is less than 20% of our annual budget. Our day-to-day operating costs are supported by individuals and businesses that give to our general fund. Special events like the RE/MAX Wing Ding Gala and Golf Classic (held this year on May 18 & 19) also sustains the organization. We've become stretched, however, to service the growing interest and enthusiasm of more kids, schools and families in need. To address this demand, we've recently launched the Sanctuary Giving Society?an invitation to those who will embrace the mission and vision of Sparrow Clubs and pledge multiple-year support for the organization?or simply make a one time gift to the organization.

Sincerely,

Jeff Leeland
Executive Director
Sparrow Clubs USA

906 NE Greenwood Ave Su#2
Bend, OR 97701
541.312.8630 office
541.312.8632 fax

www.sparrowclubs.org