KANSAS CITY, MO -
There was hardly a dry eye at the Guardian Angels Church in Westport on Saturday, after a 13-year-old Kansas City girl, with a single incredible gesture, inspired neighbors and major companies to give to others.
Julie Brock was diagnosed a year ago with a life-threatening illness to her heart and lungs. She became part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and had her wish all planned out until she changed her mind and decided to give it away.
"I cant imagine a 30-year-old doing this, much less a 12-or 13-year-old," said Dan Hirstein of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He says it all started out with Julie's original wish through the foundation.
"You probably want to fly somewhere or meet somebody, and the first words out of her mouth were 'I want to meet Arnold Schwartzenegger'," said Hirstein.
"I love his accent," said Julie. "His movies are awesome."
Julie was set to fly out to California to meet the governor, but one day that changed when she asked if she could donate the value of her wish to a food pantry.
"One day mom was driving us to go to our grandma's house and I saw a homeless man with a sign that says in need of food," said Julie. "We happened to have a box of cookies in the back with us, and we gave him it and just seemed so overjoyed and happy to have those cookies, and that's what made me change my mind."
It was a decision that will feed many hungry families.
"It's very touching," said Vickie Lopez of the Guardian Angels food bank. "I'm very excited and blessed."
Julie's generosity has gone a long way, inspiring some major metro companies to give as well. The Hyatt Regency held a food drive in her honor, and Cargill is upping its annual donation to an organization that fights hunger.
So, on Saturday, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Mark Funkhouser joined Julie at the Guardian Angels Church to read a very special letter.
"I hope I can read this," said Funkhouser, trying to hold back tears. When Governor Schwartzenegger heard what Julie did with her one wish, he asked Funkhouser to read a letter, surprising her with an invitation.
"So I'd like you to come to California as my guest," read the letter. "I know you originally wanted to meet me, but I know after hearing all these great things about you I'm the one who can't wait to meet you. Thank you for being such an inspiration, I'll see you in California. With warm regards, Arnold Schwartzenegger."
Julie Brock was diagnosed a year ago with a life-threatening illness to her heart and lungs. She became part of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and had her wish all planned out until she changed her mind and decided to give it away.
"I cant imagine a 30-year-old doing this, much less a 12-or 13-year-old," said Dan Hirstein of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He says it all started out with Julie's original wish through the foundation.
"You probably want to fly somewhere or meet somebody, and the first words out of her mouth were 'I want to meet Arnold Schwartzenegger'," said Hirstein.
"I love his accent," said Julie. "His movies are awesome."
Julie was set to fly out to California to meet the governor, but one day that changed when she asked if she could donate the value of her wish to a food pantry.
"One day mom was driving us to go to our grandma's house and I saw a homeless man with a sign that says in need of food," said Julie. "We happened to have a box of cookies in the back with us, and we gave him it and just seemed so overjoyed and happy to have those cookies, and that's what made me change my mind."
It was a decision that will feed many hungry families.
"It's very touching," said Vickie Lopez of the Guardian Angels food bank. "I'm very excited and blessed."
Julie's generosity has gone a long way, inspiring some major metro companies to give as well. The Hyatt Regency held a food drive in her honor, and Cargill is upping its annual donation to an organization that fights hunger.
So, on Saturday, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Mark Funkhouser joined Julie at the Guardian Angels Church to read a very special letter.
"I hope I can read this," said Funkhouser, trying to hold back tears. When Governor Schwartzenegger heard what Julie did with her one wish, he asked Funkhouser to read a letter, surprising her with an invitation.
"So I'd like you to come to California as my guest," read the letter. "I know you originally wanted to meet me, but I know after hearing all these great things about you I'm the one who can't wait to meet you. Thank you for being such an inspiration, I'll see you in California. With warm regards, Arnold Schwartzenegger."
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