In 1959, Dooley returned to America for cancer surgery and followed that with a lecture tour. He talked with high school students about his medical care in Laos. He encouraged them to pay attention to other parts of the world and to other people's situations. He encouraged them to develop their own way to help him and the people of Laos. The students were very creative, and they did provide money and gifts for Dooley through "Do It For Dooley" Projects.

          After one high school class read his book, Deliver Us from Evil, and heard him speak, they took up a collection twice a week for Dooley's work. As a reward for raising the money, they were allowed to chew gum during class. Dooley replied, thanking them for their support.

          A group of high school girls raised money for Dooley in several ways: they sold his picture, buttons, baked goods, and even charged for parking at the school.

          A fifth grade class from Creve Coeur, Missouri, raised money for Dooley's work by selling peanut brittle to other students. Dooley thanked them for the money and told them how their money would be used to further his work.

          A sixth grade class saved the money they would have spent on candy and goodies and sent it to Dooley because they wanted to help his medical and humanitarian work. Dooley replied, thanking the students and explaining that their donation helped many children.

          A high school library club wrote Dooley to tell him they admired his work, and they sent him the money they had raised by selling pamphlets that listed books about Asia. Dooley replied, thanking them for the money and for helping make more students aware of the situation.

          A "Care Club" from Chicago earned money by collecting pop bottles. They sent the money and a newspaper article about their club to Dooley.

          A sixth grade class held an auction and sent the money to Dooley to help him fulfill his dream.

          A nun from Our Lady of the Valley School in West Virginia wrote to MEDICO and enclosed money saved by the school girls, who were themselves somewhat underprivileged. The girls wrote a letter to Dooley telling him they hoped the money would help the sick. Dooley responded, thanked them for the money and described how he would help the children in Laos with their money.

          A woman from New York wrote Dooley and told him how much she enjoyed his books, and she told him of her "Diet for Dooley." She said she would send the money she used to spend on sweets, and even if she did not stick to her diet, she would still send money. Dooley thanked her for her letter and donation.

          Four young boys from Kirkwood, Missouri, sent money to Dooley that they had raised by having a carnival and puppet show. Dooley replied and thanked them for raising money for his hospital.

          A sponsor for a high school senior girls group wrote Dooley to tell him how the girls worked eight months to raise the money they sent him. The held a dance, two car washes, and a fashion show. Dooley thanked the girls for the money and explained that it was used to keep his airplane in service.

          Dooley replied to a group of junior high students. He did not receive their letter and soap donation until a year after they had sent the package. Dooley described why the package took so long to arrive and how thankful he was for the gift.