Thursday, September 27, 2012

The dying boy who helped feeding the hungry (Brenden Foster)

The dying boy who helped feeding the hungry

Brenden Foster (October 4, 1997 – November 21, 2008) was a boy from Bothell, Washington, diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2005. KOMO, a local broadcasting station, reported the story of Brenden's last wish, which was to feed the homeless. He said he wanted to be an angel so he could help the homeless from Heaven. The story inspired many, a
nd prompted attention from national media, even drawing international attention.

The Brenden Foster Food Drive was created by the broadcasting station in his honor. In Seattle, volunteers from the Emerald City Lights Bike Ride passed out over 200 sandwiches to the homeless. Inspired viewers took part in the "Stuff the Truck" food drive in Brenden's honor, filling seven trucks of groceries and $95,000 in cash to benefit the Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline. Brenden's story also reached KOMO's sister station in Portland, Oregon, KATU, which reported actions inspired by Brenden in Los Angeles, Ohio, and Pensacola, Florida. At the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, for instance, over 2,500 meals have been served in Brenden's name. His advocacy for the homeless housed in tent cities continues to be remembered. A Vietnam War veteran from Kentucky who lost his leg in the war was so touched by the story, he gave Brenden his purple heart.

The Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise paid for Brenden's funeral; he was buried in Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle, Washington.

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