Schools give to Sisters Sparrow

Most 3-year-old girls' only worries are watching "Wow Wow Wubzy," riding their tricycles, and playing with Barbie dolls. Holly Davis has a completely different world. Holly Davis has lymphoblastic leukemia.

She was diagnosed on June 9, 2009, when she was only two. Holly has been through several phases of treatment for her illness and is receiving chemotherapy until August of 2011. Her parents, Chad and Darcy Davis, drive Holly to Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland periodically for her medical needs.

She has two siblings: an older Sister, Greta, and a younger brother, Spencer.

Holly is this year's "Sparrow," meaning that the community of Sisters raises money though the Sisters School District's Sparrow Club to help cover the Davis family's medical needs through community service and fundraising projects.

With the harsh toll on her body from the chemotherapy and the simple fear of having such an illness, you would think Holly would be a timid, exhausted young girl. The reality is quite the opposite.

Last winter, Sparrow Club members held a raffle at an Outlaws basketball game. Holly attended with her family, and during halftime the cheerleaders invited her onto the court. She was given her own pair of pom-poms and waved them around with a spirit even brighter than her smile.

"Holly has this special energy that people are gravitated to," said Sally Taylor-Pillar, Sisters High School teacher and Sparrow Club advisor.

On Friday, May 7, there will be another fundraiser to benefit Holly and her family: a carnival at Sisters High School. Taylor-Pillar is organizing the event with the help of Sergeant Wilcox and members of the National Guard. They are providing equipment including a rock climbing wall and a HALO Jumper. For the younger crowd there will be classic carnival games with prizes. There will be no school that Friday, so all ages are encouraged to come out and have a wonderful time supporting Holly.

Another way the community is raising money for the Davis family is through community service. A few months ago the Sparrow Club held an assembly at the high school introducing Holly, her family, and her story. Students were given vouchers that they can record their community service on and turn into the school office. For each hour of community service, the Sparrow Club donates $10 to Holly.

One opportunity to fulfill this is to volunteer to do small chores on the Davis' property.

"This is one of the coolest clubs a school could be involved with," said Taylor-Pillar, "because you really, really do make a huge difference in the lives of that family,"

In times like these the community of Sisters really shines. Darcy, Holly's mother, said they have been "thrilled with how the community reaches out," and are constantly showered with support.

"For Holly to be a Sparrow it has given her the opportunity to connect with other kids in the community... Only being three I'm not sure how much of the concept she gets of what's going on, but the support she gets has made her a stronger person," said Darcy.

Through the carnival and community service, not only does the town benefit but also a young girl fighting for her life with a determination unfamiliar even to most adults can continue to experience the love and aid of her town.

For more information visit http://www.sparrowclubs.org.