When she celebrated the New Year, ten year old Julia McLane did not yet realize that 2005 would be such a challenging year. She also didn't know that events were about to unfold that would give her an opportunity, at such a young age, to demonstrate the depth of her personal heroism, unselfish giving, and love for her family.

On Sunday afternoon, January 30, 2005, Julia's dad, Mark McLane was riding his bicycle with approximately 10 other bicyclists near Point Reyes, California. To avoid running into a rider ahead of him, Mark fell and was hit by a car head-on. He sustained severe head, neck and back injuries from the accident. Surgery repaired his fractured skull that the doctor described as "putting a jigsaw puzzle together." Mark was fortunate to be alive, but the doctor told him that he had lost sight in one eye and ear and should never ride a bicycle again.

While her dad was going through his own heroic challenges from the accident, Julia was devastated. It was hard for her to deal with the realization that she came so close to losing her dad. It was also hard to see him in so much pain from all his injuries.

As Julia watched her dad go through tedious and painful rehabilitation, she was relieved to see him make so much progress. She knew how much he missed bike riding, though. Then she got an idea. She would surprise her dad by getting him a stationary bike!

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On her own initiative Julia researched on the internet what type of bike to get for him. The one she wanted to buy was $500. Since she didn't have that much money, she decided to raise it through donations by selling milk and homemade chocolate chip cookies at a local park.

Julia baked the cookies herself and asked her mom to buy a few extra gallons of milk to sell. Then Julia posted signs around the park and she set up a table with the cookies, milk, information and pictures about her dad's injuries, and a sign requesting contributions. Many people who heard Julia's story were moved to buy cookies and milk for 25 cents and put in a little extra donation for her cause. Julia continued to bake cookies and request donations at the park every weekend until she had raised the entire $500 she needed to purchase the bike.

Julia ordered the bike without any help from adults. The only time she asked for assistance was when she needed her mom to help her pick it up. On Father's Day, Julia's dad was completely surprised when she presented him with her gift of the bike. He was amazed and touched by what his daughter had done for him.

When describing her granddaughter, Ruth Kornhauser said, "Julia has always been a giving child." It is inspiring to know that someone who is so small has such a big heart. Her generosity of spirit and tenacity to accomplish what she set her mind to do are great lessons in heroism for us all. It bodes well for our future to know we have kids like Julia leading the way!

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