‘It’s really special’: Redmond High holds fundraiser for their school’s Sparrow, Greyson

(Update: adding comments from Greyson's parents, Redmond HS Sparrow Club)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Redmond High School's Sparrow Club is organizing a fundraiser for their 2024-2025 Sparrow, Greyson.

According to Central Oregon Sparrow Clubs, Sparrow Clubs changes lives by empowering kids to help kids in medical need through compassion, kindness and sponsored community service.

Little Greyson was born prematurely in September due to his mother being diagnosed with severe preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure).

Brooklynn Gage, Greyson's mom, said Wednesday, "I had to be on IVs to keep me from having a stroke or a seizure. And so I stayed in the hospital for a couple days, and they thought I was good to go home."

But shortly after returning home, Brooklynn woke up with temporary blindness.

"I couldn't see anything, she said. "So we had a rush to the hospital, and then they said we had to deliver him, at only 27 weeks."

At birth, Greyson weighed 1lb., 14 oz., and was 14” long. He has suffered two Grade 4 brain hemorrhages and is battling a serious lung condition called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), which requires him to remain on a ventilator.

Although this experience has been very challenging for his parents, Brooklynn and Isaac, they are thankful to have their former school's support. Both are 2024 graduates of Redmond High School.

"It feels really good knowing that we have people that know his story and are trying to help us out, because we are so young and we don't really have a lot going for us right now," Gage said.

Redmond High's Sparrow Club has been busy raising money for Greyson. On Wednesday, they held a fundraiser on their campus.

Samantha Sale, co-president of Redmond High's Sparrow Club, said, "We were selling shirts, and a lot of us had candy and cookies and things to get people to donate some money."

Last year, the students raised $30,000 for their previous Sparrow. They're hoping to surpass that amount this year.

"It's really special. I love it!" said Sienna Summers, co-president of Redmond High's Sparrow Club. "It's all about the community and that kid that needs it."

Redmond High School has been actively involved with Sparrow Clubs for over 20 years, joining several other Central Oregon schools in raising funds to support different Sparrows each year.

You can read some of their stories here.