Published: October 24, 2009 03:55 pm      

It’s a small world

The Cowan-Brown family today continues its all-expenses-paid vacation at Disneyland, as skilled workers, community volunteers and the crew of TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” labor to complete a new home for the Bunker Hill residents.

Now on their fourth day at the theme park, surely someone among the Miami County family of six mindlessly hums the tune to “It’s a Small World” – at dinner, in the shower, even while asleep.

The song plays throughout the renowned boat-ride-across-the-globe, and it lingers in the mind like wood smoke on a sweater.

Kori Brown, one of Andy and Heather Cowan’s four children, already knows the catchy song’s message – that people are people, wherever their home. Sometimes, they need the help of others. Sometimes, they’re in a position to offer it.

Beginning at age 6, Kori needed help. She was diagnosed with a blood disorder affecting her immune system. While at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, she befriended Alyssa Lewandowski of Noblesville. Alyssa was receiving treatment for leukemia.

Kori began raising money to help her friend. She started “Kori’s Cards for a Cure” in 2006, and got children to make greeting cards to sell for the American Cancer Society. She helped auction items for her Relay for Life team in 2007. And last year, she was entertainment chairperson for the 2008 Relay.

Since getting involved with Relay for Life in 2005, she has raised more than $35,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Kori is just 12 years old.

About 450 people are working to complete the Cowan-Browns’ new home before they return from southern California Tuesday. And after the final meal is served and last roller of paint is spread, we hope they always remember the week they celebrated the humanity of a needing and needed child.

We hope they remember this is a small world, after all.