Print Version
Email this story
Comment
Adopting a Sparrow
 |
| H&N photo by Andrew Mariman Dakota Angeli, a second grader at Ferguson Elementary School who has a potentially life-threatening heart condition, was adopted by Klamath County's first Sparrow Club. Students raised a total of $21,403 to help offset medical expenses for Angeli. |
May 22, 2007
They raised $7,560 with a candy sale.
They earned $3,180 in pledges by jumping rope.
And when a dozen other fundraising projects were completed, Ferguson Elementary School students had amassed a total of $21,403 to benefit a classmate.
The money went to a tax-free account to help offset medical expenses of second grader Dakota Angeli, who suffers from a potentially life-threatening heart condition.
The adoption
The students' efforts began in October when they adopted Dakota as a “sparrow” in Klamath County's first Sparrow Club. Students in the club agreed to do 256 hours of community service to earn $2,560 offered by Rookstool Moden real estate agent Ryan Dubois and his wife, Julieonne, along with some friends from their church.
The students completed 313 hours to earn the money, but they weren't content to stop there. They embarked on a series of projects to significantly increase the gift.
Taking on more
Fifth-grader Abbie Edmonds made a quilt, which generated $4,600 in raffle proceeds. Dakota's classmates also had a jewelry raffle, operated a Snowflake Festival booth, had a coin drive, tours of a wax museum, popcorn sales and a car wash, along with several other ventures.
“Everybody was taken by her story,” Dakota's teacher Vicki Zeller said. “She's a good role model for kids, and it was a whole school effort.”
Dakota said the outpouring of concern makes her feel good.
Staying in Klamath
Her father, Mike Angeli, said the financial help allows the family to remain in Klamath Falls rather than return to Southern California so he could resume his more lucrative law enforcement career with its medical insurance plan. Also, without the help, he said, he wouldn't have been able to keep co-ownership of The Ledge, a local outdoor store.
“It was just one less thing to have to worry about,” said Angeli, whose wife, Diana, now has medical insurance through her job at Oregon Institute of Technology.
“The Sparrow program is such a great project,” Angeli added. “We were the first, and now there are three in Klamath County. We want to organize one in every school in the region because there's more than enough need.”
Students at Ferguson were thrilled to be able to give a helping hand to their own sparrow.
“Lots of people would like to help Dakota,” second-grade classmate Dante Melville said. “She's the nicest girl.”
- Steve Kadel
They raised $7,560 with a candy sale.
They earned $3,180 in pledges by jumping rope.
And when a dozen other fundraising projects were completed, Ferguson Elementary School students had amassed a total of $21,403 to benefit a classmate.
The money went to a tax-free account to help offset medical expenses of second grader Dakota Angeli, who suffers from a potentially life-threatening heart condition.
The adoption
The students' efforts began in October when they adopted Dakota as a “sparrow” in Klamath County's first Sparrow Club. Students in the club agreed to do 256 hours of community service to earn $2,560 offered by Rookstool Moden real estate agent Ryan Dubois and his wife, Julieonne, along with some friends from their church.
The students completed 313 hours to earn the money, but they weren't content to stop there. They embarked on a series of projects to significantly increase the gift.
Taking on more
Fifth-grader Abbie Edmonds made a quilt, which generated $4,600 in raffle proceeds. Dakota's classmates also had a jewelry raffle, operated a Snowflake Festival booth, had a coin drive, tours of a wax museum, popcorn sales and a car wash, along with several other ventures.
“Everybody was taken by her story,” Dakota's teacher Vicki Zeller said. “She's a good role model for kids, and it was a whole school effort.”
Dakota said the outpouring of concern makes her feel good.
Staying in Klamath
Her father, Mike Angeli, said the financial help allows the family to remain in Klamath Falls rather than return to Southern California so he could resume his more lucrative law enforcement career with its medical insurance plan. Also, without the help, he said, he wouldn't have been able to keep co-ownership of The Ledge, a local outdoor store.
“It was just one less thing to have to worry about,” said Angeli, whose wife, Diana, now has medical insurance through her job at Oregon Institute of Technology.
“The Sparrow program is such a great project,” Angeli added. “We were the first, and now there are three in Klamath County. We want to organize one in every school in the region because there's more than enough need.”
Students at Ferguson were thrilled to be able to give a helping hand to their own sparrow.
“Lots of people would like to help Dakota,” second-grade classmate Dante Melville said. “She's the nicest girl.”
- Steve Kadel
 |
||
| Klamath economy building |
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
leesa wrote on Jan 23, 2009 12:37 PM:
" these things should never happened in this world. the world should be safe. "
samantha r. wrote on Sep 23, 2008 12:12 PM:
" this article is So true when your a teen girl and your pregnant It seems to feel like your life is over and there is no way you can fix it but that's not true if your young and your going to have a child then stay focused in school your child wants you to succeed in life so he/she can succeed in life my name is Samantha R. I'm 14 years old i live in Klamath falls and i might be pregnant :] If so I'm determined to make sure my child has a better life then i did :] "
Babe wrote on Jan 23, 2008 6:54 PM:
" I think that chiloquin people do need help and not just the teens but i have also seen places that are alot worse i moved from L.A to chiloquin and ive been back there since and trust me chiloquin is nothing. I also think that crime and drugs etc. are noticed more because it is so small compared to other places and there is no form of disaplin at all "
Tony P. wrote on Jan 19, 2008 7:55 PM:
" I remember the night the plane went down.. My mother crying and my dad in tears.. his dad searched for him for years...
"
"
RSS
Jane D. wrote on Apr 10, 2009 12:00 AM:
I Love You Bobby
May your soul Rest In Peace
-Deems "