Aug. 9--OLYMPIA -- Thirteen-year-old Brook Lund got a laptop computer, an iPod, computer games, a computer case and new clothes Saturday at Westfield Capital mall as part of a three-hour shopping spree that didn't cost her a dime.

The shopping spree was a "wish" granted to her by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Washington, an organization known for the special events it provides for children with serious illnesses.

Brook has a form of congenital heart disease that essentially has left her with half a heart, her father, Brian, said Saturday. She spent the first three years of her life in and out of hospitals, but now she visits a hospital once a year, he said. Brook's father described the disease as serious but not life-threatening.

Brook's day started with a limousine ride from her home in Shelton to the west Olympia mall.

In addition to her father, Brook was accompanied by her mother, Kim, her older sister, Allyson, her cousin Cassie Crabtree and her grandmother Linda Andrews. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Washington volunteers Paul and Janice Woolson of Olympia also were on hand to ensure the day went as planned. The Woolsons are "wish granters" for the foundation and worked behind the scenes to organize Brook's shopping day, they said.

Once the family arrived at the mall, the first stop was at Starbucks for hot chocolate, followed by a visit to Best Buy, where Brook picked up her laptop computer.

"Whoa, it's awesome," Brook said when she turned on the computer.

After Best Buy, she headed to Macy's for some clothes shopping. Staff members met her at the entrance and presented her with a tiara, making her a "princess" for the day. She also got her own dressing room with a sign that said, "Reserved for Brook, VIP." Other events planned included more shopping at Hot Topic, lunch at El Sarape and a limousine ride home to Shelton, Kim Lund said.

"This day is amazing," she said as she watched her daughter dash to pick out clothes at Macy's. "It's nice to see her so over the top."

Brook's Tacoma-based cardiologist nominated Brook to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Washington five months ago, Brian Lund said. Although Brook was aware of the shopping spree, she didn't know it would include a limousine ride.

"She was pretty wound up last night and didn't sleep," he said. Saturday morning, he tried to keep the curtains closed at the house so she wouldn't see the limo, but Brook ran down the hallway to look out her bedroom window and let out a scream, he said.

Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403

rboone@theolympian.com

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