The best things in life start with the smallest of things. In Zachary L Bonner’s case, it was his favourite red toy wagon. For many, a wagon is one of those dream things you can pile your life on and walk around flicking dust from your shoulder. Zach Bonner was all of eight when he decided to use it to gather drinking water for those caught when Hurricane Charlie hit Florida. The idea was as simple as his plan. His mother helped him write out notices saying he was collecting drinking water bottles for the hurricane victims, and would come by to collect it from donors. His neighbours responded, and how! The red wagon worked hard carrying water to and fro. Zach was actually able to send a truckload off!  

Soon after, he founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation dedicated to homeless and poor children who need treats and help like any other young person. “I started the foundation in 2005. I was seven when I sent the letter to the IRS (Internal Revenue System) asking to be a 501 C3 organisation. I wrote the letter myself, but my mom helped me with the application,” he says.  

Backpacks and more  

Today, Zach makes backpacks with food and supplies for homeless children. He has made around 2,000 of them already. He knows his efforts aren’t enough so he wants other young people to start as well. He also hosts an event called ‘24 hours’, where children gather from across Florida and simulate being homeless for 24 hours to create awareness about the issue and gather funds.  

Choosing his projects is easy. The 12-year-old says: “If I see something needs to be done and I am interested, I just do it. I don’t think about it for too long. For then you over-think it and question if you are capable of doing it.”  

His dream is to help as many young people in difficult situations as possible, and to keep it fun and simple. And for all those who believe they can’t make a difference, Zach says: “Just believe in yourself and do not listen to anyone who says you can’t. My mom always says you cannot fail when you are doing good. It might not turn out just the way you thought it should, but maybe it wasn’t supposed to anyway.” 

Handling school and his projects isn’t always a song, but, as Zach explains: “Since I do an online school, run through the public school system, it gives me the flexibility to do both.” He loves reading and his favourites include “anything by James Patterson and the Twilight series”. “Right now I am taking a step back and reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It is pretty funny,” he grins.  

Walking the talk  

As someone who truly believes in walking the talk, Zach has been on a number of walks to raise awareness about homeless youth. Last year, he completed one from his house to the White House, and, starting May 2010, he’s planning a coast-to-coast walk that will involve other kids and help fund their ideas to help homeless people. His reply for those who think it’s too big a problem to solve? “Start with one child at a time!”  

Anyone can be a part of Zach’s walk. You don’t have to fly to America. Just volunteer your time to help some young person who could use it, and that will be all.  

Drop Zach a line at http://littleredwagonfoundation.com/. 

(Paromita Pain is a senior reporter and sub-editor with The Hindu and its feature supplements Young World and NXg) 

Infochange News & Features, March 2010