This afternoon, Mikayla Andrews sat cross-legged on the auditorium stage at All Saints Catholic School when suddenly students jumped to their feet and applauded her.

The 160 students at the North Side school clapped for the 5-year-old's resiliency.

And her inspiration.

A shy, schooland sports-loving kindergartner at Chimborazo Elementary School in Richmond, Mikayla has battled sickle cell anemia all her life.

Her story, as told by her mother, Shelby Andrews, touched the All Saints students.

Starting next week, they will work toward completing at least 256 community service hours as well as hold fundraisers to help with Mikayla's medical expenses.

The school's community service project is part of Sparrow Clubs USA, a national non-profit organization of school-based clubs that assist children in medical crisis. The organization promotes the concept of young people finding ways to help one another.

The program is being implemented at two other schools in Virginia, Highland Springs High School in Henrico County and Virginia State University in Ettrick, said Dawn Crutchfield, director of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond's Office for Black Catholics. Crutchfield got All Saints involved.

For details, see tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch. -- Robin Farmer