School adopts new 'sparrow'

Natalie Lopez. Photo provided

Sisters Middle School's Sparrow Club has "adopted" Natalie Lopez, helping her family face the girl's serious health problems.

Lopez, the youngest of four children, suffers from a malfunctioning liver; she is critically ill and in need of a transplant.

The Sparrow sponsor is Dan Lundgren Construction of Bend. According to SMS Sparrow Club advisor Barbara Haynes, sponsors pledge $2,560 for the sparrow, which the students "earn" for their child by performing community service. Last year, the sponsor was Rhino Ranch and Realty of Sisters.

"Right now the parents have to drive to Portland every few weeks for treatment, which necessitates dad taking off from work," Haynes said. "The family is poor, not savvy of social programs and just about overwhelmed with this latest challenge."

The Sparrow Club is trying to get donations of diapers and basic baby needs and has just started a fundraiser for Natalie by selling Biomats, which are preseeded wood fiber mulch mats.

"In addition, our Interim week is this week, and two of the groups will be performing public service which will go toward our sparrow," Haynes said.

Natalie will need her transplant soon and the family will have to go to Stanford Medical Center for the operation.

As Haynes understands it, the actual surgery will be covered by the Oregon Health Plan, but none of the travel, lodging or food expenses will be covered.

Funds raised by the SMS Sparrow Club will help pay those expenses.