I recently saw a video clip of this young guy on a local daytime news channel and was inspired to research more about him and his philanthropic efforts. Zachary “Zach” Bonner is his name and though he’s just 11 years, he has been involved in charity work since he was 6. Hurricane Charlie had visited then and Zach collected 27 pickup trucks of water in his little red wagon, to donate to victims in the area.
Obviously; Zach had no intention of stopping there. He created The Little Red Wagon Foundation when he was just 7 years old. “I created a non profit so I could help kids in distressed situations.” Zach says on his site’s main page. It looks like he’s doing just that and inspiring many along the way.
He’s collected 400 backpacks, nicknamed “Zachpacks”, filled with donated snacks, toys, and toiletries, for homeless children. He’s organized Christmas parties for homeless children living in Baker, Louisiana, and he gave Christmas presents to Hurricane Katrina victims. In his efforts to raise awareness of the over 1.3 million homeless children in this country, he organized “24 Hours”, an event that simulated being homeless for 24 hours and walked from his house to the White House – 1,225 miles.
For his next journey, he plans to walk from Tampa to Los Angeles – 2500 miles – to raise awareness of Youth Homelessness. You can keep track of Zach’s progress on the “Zach Tracker” and this young guy is worth keeping track of. He is an inspiration to us all. Consider spreading the word about his efforts and his non profit foundation. The Little Red Wagon Foundation can also be found on Facebook, so you can easily spread news that way as well.
What an inspiring young man! Zach is a beacon of light and service and a role model for us all. When you reach out to others in need, you may not realize it at the time, but you can make a big, big, difference.
Thanks, Karlyn, for sharing this amazing story. You’ve brightened my day!
Thanks so much for bringing Zach to my attention. What an inspirational young man, and I’m sure his parents have encouraged and mirrored the importance of giving back, even at a young age. This is just the kind of thing that needs to be covered more in today’s media, with its prediliction for showcasing only the negative side of humanity. I’m sure there are many “Zachs” out there, quietly doing their part to make the world a better place.
Thanks again, Karlyn – this was a wonderful way for me to start my weekend!
It is always encouraging to me to see our young people making a difference.
You would think there is no reason for a child to be homeless. But they are. So I’m very thankful to this young man for bringing attention to this problem.
When I see our young people involved it makes me want to do more. We all just need to do a little bit more.
I love that concept: The Little Red Wagon Foundation. There is a little boy in my area who has started something smiliar. He’s doing it for kid cancer patients. It’s always wonderful to see young people involved in such work for others. It truly says something about their parents and others around them. I always say you can tell a lot about a child by looking at the parents–good or bad.
Wow. I am so impressed with this young man. He makes me want to do more. It’s nice to see a person so young with such a compassionate heart. It’s what the world needs more of now. Thanks for sharing his story, and a great example of how one person CAN make a difference.
What an inspiring young man! Zach is a beacon of light and service and a role model for us all. When you reach out to others in need, you may not realize it at the time, but you can make a big, big, difference.
Thanks, Karlyn, for sharing this amazing story. You’ve brightened my day!
Thanks so much for bringing Zach to my attention. What an inspirational young man, and I’m sure his parents have encouraged and mirrored the importance of giving back, even at a young age. This is just the kind of thing that needs to be covered more in today’s media, with its prediliction for showcasing only the negative side of humanity. I’m sure there are many “Zachs” out there, quietly doing their part to make the world a better place.
Thanks again, Karlyn – this was a wonderful way for me to start my weekend!
It is always encouraging to me to see our young people making a difference.
You would think there is no reason for a child to be homeless. But they are. So I’m very thankful to this young man for bringing attention to this problem.
When I see our young people involved it makes me want to do more. We all just need to do a little bit more.
With Grace and Charm,
Walethia
I love that concept: The Little Red Wagon Foundation. There is a little boy in my area who has started something smiliar. He’s doing it for kid cancer patients. It’s always wonderful to see young people involved in such work for others. It truly says something about their parents and others around them. I always say you can tell a lot about a child by looking at the parents–good or bad.
Wow. I am so impressed with this young man. He makes me want to do more. It’s nice to see a person so young with such a compassionate heart. It’s what the world needs more of now. Thanks for sharing his story, and a great example of how one person CAN make a difference.