"As an adult working with schoolchildren, I search and search for things for kids to sink their teeth into," Johnson said. "But nothing has made the impact that our Sparrow Club project has."
Principal Pam Dellino introduced the student-leadership council to the Sparrow Club program in September. By October the students were matched with an ill youth and ready to raise money.
The national Sparrow Club program encourages kids to help other kids. It was founded by former University of Washington football player Jeff Leeland. He was a new teacher at Kamiakin Junior High in Kirkland when his infant son developed leukemia and needed a bone-marrow transplant. Because he had just transferred from an Eastern Washington district, the family wasn't covered by insurance.
A student in Leeland's adaptive physical-education class started a drive that raised the necessary $250,000.
After that, Leeland created the nonprofit Sparrow organization, which matches member clubs with kids in medical need and funnels 100 percent of their donations to the recipient.
Dellino liked the idea of developing compassion in children. That's working, Johnson said, because the kids like the idea of helping another kid. They've been raising money for Anndria Sutter of Auburn, who has bone cancer.
Sutter came to a school carnival in October and met the St. Monica students.
"Even the kindergartners know who she is," Johnson said. "That's what keeps everyone involved."
QFC has been a corporate sponsor for the all-year benefit, and proceeds from a popcorn sale and Halloween carnival went into Sutter's fund. Currently, the students are selling Tully's coffee cards. They've raised more than $2,200 before corporate matches.
"Kids can be heroes," Johnson said. "One class won a Domino's pizza party. Instead of having the party, they sent the certificates on to Sutter and her family. It's more than the money. It shows kids who are 10 or 8 or even 6 that they can make a difference in the world."
Food for thought: For restaurants, Valentine's Day is one of the big three — right up there with Thanksgiving and Mother's Day.
Dave Coleman, purchasing director at the Salish Lodge and Spa already has ordered 125 Maine lobsters, 27 lamb loins, 3,000 roses and 288 heads of baby organic lettuce.
By the way, the lobsters had to be reserved a month ago.
P.J. party: Speaking of hotels, the designer ones provide the most romantic packages for Valentine's Day.
The Woodmark Hotel and Spa in Kirkland offers three packages — I Love You, I Really Love You and I Really, Really Love You.
The Really ones come with Perrier Jouet Champagne plus an invitation to the Second Annual Pajama Reception. Oh, and if your loved one ordinarily forgoes traditional jammies, not to worry. Those packages also come with his-and-her flannel pajamas — required for the pajama party.
Willows Lodge in Woodinville offers a Do Not Disturb package that includes in-tub dinner service. The tray fits across the tub and the menu is fresh strawberries and whipped cream, warm chocolate in a fondue pot, fresh oysters and champagne.
Light ceremony: The candles in the lobby at Overlake Hospital Medical Center tonight don't mean a power outage is expected. People will be lighting candles to honor or memorialize someone with cancer.
The annual Tree of Hope, sponsored by the Overlake Cancer Center Auxiliary, is a beautiful ceremony, with a few tears and a lot of hugs.
Although it is too late to list a name in the program, it's not too late to make a donation and join the circle at 7 p.m. For more information call the Overlake Hospital Auxiliary office at 425-688-5522.
One last grin: A Puget Sound Energy employee noticed a Subaru on Bellevue Way with a hard-earned license-plate holder. It read:
"I've climbed the mountain on this plate." It refers, of course, to the picture of Mount Rainier on Washington license plates.
Sherry Grindeland: 206-515-5633 or sgrindeland@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company