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== Philanthropy == |
== Philanthropy == |
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Bonner has done a variety of [[volunteering|volunteer work]] since he was six years old. In 2004, when [[Hurricane Charley]] hit neighborhoods, he collected 27 pickup trucks of water in his little [[toy wagon|red wagon]].<ref name="Cass">{{cite news |first=Jackie |last=Cass |title=Zach Bonner, 11: 'My house to the White House' |url=http://www.examiner.com/x-3958-Atlanta-Northside-Family--Parenting-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Zach-Bonner-My-House-to-the-White-House-homeless-crusade |work=[[Examiner.com]] |date=2009-05-20 |accessdate=June 10, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5hSjqHPgN |archivedate=2009-06-11 }}</ref> He established the [[Little Red Wagon Foundation]] " |
Bonner has done a variety of [[volunteering|volunteer work]] since he was six years old. In 2004, when [[Hurricane Charley]] hit neighborhoods, he collected 27 pickup trucks of water in his little [[toy wagon|red wagon]].<ref name="Cass">{{cite news |first=Jackie |last=Cass |title=Zach Bonner, 11: 'My house to the White House' |url=http://www.examiner.com/x-3958-Atlanta-Northside-Family--Parenting-Examiner~y2009m5d20-Zach-Bonner-My-House-to-the-White-House-homeless-crusade |work=[[Examiner.com]] |date=2009-05-20 |accessdate=June 10, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5hSjqHPgN |archivedate=2009-06-11 }}</ref> He established the [[Little Red Wagon Foundation]] "to continue helping kids more efficiently".<ref name="Bazar"/> Bonner teamed up with the [[StandUp For Kids]] and collected 400 [[backpack]]s of supplies, nicknamed "Zachpacks", for homeless children. The Zachpacks were filled with donated [[snack]]s, [[toy]]s, and [[toiletry|toiletries]].<ref name="Perino">{{cite news |title=Dana Perino Holds White House News Briefing Aboard Air Force One En Route to Florida |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18427756_ITM |work=[[Congressional Quarterly]] |date=2006-09-21 |accessdate=June 12, 2009 }}</ref> |
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Bonner organized [[Christmas]] parties for homeless children living in [[Baker, Louisiana]],<ref name="Perino"/> and he gave Christmas presents to [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Meacham |title=This kid is no mere follower |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/04/Hillsborough/This_kid_is_no_mere_f.shtml |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=2007-11-04 |accessdate=June 11, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5hSjzZDNn |archivedate=2009-06-11 }}</ref> |
Bonner organized [[Christmas]] parties for homeless children living in [[Baker, Louisiana]],<ref name="Perino"/> and he gave Christmas presents to [[Hurricane Katrina]] victims.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Meacham |title=This kid is no mere follower |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/04/Hillsborough/This_kid_is_no_mere_f.shtml |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=2007-11-04 |accessdate=June 11, 2009 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5hSjzZDNn |archivedate=2009-06-11 }}</ref> |
Revision as of 20:41, 14 September 2010
Zachary "Zach" Bonner (born November 17, 1997) is an American philanthropist and founder of the non-profit charity Little Red Wagon Foundation.[1][2] When he was seven years old, he founded the organization to aid the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States.[1] Bonner said that, "These kids don't have a home, they don't have a safe place to sleep at night. They're out on the streets not because they want to be, but because it's out of their control."[2]
Philanthropy
Bonner has done a variety of volunteer work since he was six years old. In 2004, when Hurricane Charley hit neighborhoods, he collected 27 pickup trucks of water in his little red wagon.[3] He established the Little Red Wagon Foundation "to continue helping kids more efficiently".[2] Bonner teamed up with the StandUp For Kids and collected 400 backpacks of supplies, nicknamed "Zachpacks", for homeless children. The Zachpacks were filled with donated snacks, toys, and toiletries.[4]
Bonner organized Christmas parties for homeless children living in Baker, Louisiana,[4] and he gave Christmas presents to Hurricane Katrina victims.[5]
In April 2007, he organized 24 Hours, an event that simulated being homeless for 24 hours. During that period of time, students in high school stayed in their own separate boxes for 24 hours.[6]
My House to the White House
Zach Bonner's "My House to the White House" project took place in three stages covering 1,225 miles to raise awareness and funds for homeless children. The first leg in 2007 from November 3-26 covered 280 miles from Tampa to Tallahassee, Florida and raised $25,000.[7][8] The second leg in the fall of 2008 covered over 250 miles from Tallahassee to Atlanta, Georgia.[9]
The third leg of the trip began May 11, 2009.[10][11] The 668-mile, 59-day walk from Georgia to Washington D.C. was completed on July 10.[12] Bonner met with Saxby Chambliss and spoke with several other U.S. Senators on Capitol Hill.[12] He slept at the Sasha Bruce emergency shelter.[13]
March Across America
In 2010, he plans to walk from Tampa to Los Angeles.[13] Calling the trip "March Across America", he began the 2,478-mile walk on March 23, 2010.[14] Bonner is walking an average of 20 miles every day.[15] During his walk, he gave gift cards to people in need.[15] Lee Cowan of NBC Nightly News' "Making A Difference" profiled Bonner in early August; Cowan called Bonner a "pint-sized philanthropist".[15] On the show, Bonner said that "When you're having a bad day you (have) to realize that someone else is having a lot worse of a day than you."[15]
Bonner plans to complete the walk by September, after 178 days of walking.[16]
Awards and recognition
In 2006, Zach has received the Presidential Call to Service Award from President George W. Bush.[17] In the same year, he was honored with the Points of Light Award by Florida governor Jeb Bush for his volunteer service.[18] Bonner has met George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.[19] He has been featured on Good Morning America.[20]
In 2007, Bonner was named one of 12 "Huggable Heroes" by the Build-A-Bear Workshop.[21][22]
On March 19, 2008, he received the Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award from the Volvo for life Awards, hosted by Volvo on 42nd Street.[23] Elton John donated $25,000 to Bonner's cause after Bonner completed the 1,200-mile-walk from Tampa, Florida, to Washington, D.C..[24]
Philanthropy Project movie
The non-profit organization, Philanthropy Project, is planning to start a movie about Zach Bonner and his walks.[12] Michael Guillen, the CEO of Philanthropy Project, plans to make a $5 million movie about the Little Red Wagon Foundation.[24][25] Bonner's story was selected from among a pool of 6,000 candidates. After the number of candidates was narrowed to 12, Bonner's story was unanimously chosen.[26] Praising Bonner for his philanthropy, Guillen said that "[h]e's sincere. He's humble. He's generous. He's everything that is good about our country. So... when I see Zach, I see the future of our country, and I think we're going to be in good hands."[27]
Patrick Sheane Duncan will be the movie's screenwriter, and David Anspaugh will be the director.[26] The John Templeton Foundation is funding the film which will be produced by Michael Guillen of Philanthropy Project, Barbara Kelly, and Steve Golin and David Kanter of Anonymous Content.[28]
Personal life
Zach Bonner was born in Arkansas on November 17, 1997.[29] He now lives in Valrico, Tampa, Florida with his mother Laurie, sister Kelley, and brother Matt.[30][18]
Bonner takes classes on the Internet through K12 Florida Virtual Instruction Program. The online program allows him to keep up in his studies by outside of the typical school day.[29]
In his free time, Bonner plays little league baseball.[6] He also plays tennis and goes on bike rides with his friends.[19] He wishes to go to college at Harvard University and attend Yale Law School, so that he can become a prosecutor.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Boy's walk raises money for homeless kids". United Press International. 2009-05-18. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ a b c Bazar, Emily (2009-05-18). "Boy, 11, on trek to help homeless kids". USA Today. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ Cass, Jackie (2009-05-20). "Zach Bonner, 11: 'My house to the White House'". Examiner.com. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ a b "Dana Perino Holds White House News Briefing Aboard Air Force One En Route to Florida". Congressional Quarterly. 2006-09-21. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ Meacham, Andrew (2007-11-04). "This kid is no mere follower". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ a b c Frederick, Kori (2007-11-14). "Walking Wonder: Boy stops in Gainesville during 250-mile walk". The Independent Florida Alligator. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ Morelli, Keith (2007-10-18). "Boy Plans 23-Day Trek For Homeless". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ An, Vickie (2007-12-21). "A Year of Giving: Little Red Wagon Boy". Time for Kids. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ Stacy, Mitch (2009-05-09). "Florida boy, 11, walking to D.C. for homeless kids". WTOP-FM. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
- ^ "AOL and Philanthropy Project Launch Philanthropy Feature on AOL News". Business Wire. 2009-05-13. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ Ruebens, Lindsay (2009-06-03). "At 11, he's a veteran at helping others". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 10, 2009.
- ^ a b c Simon, Mashaun D. (2009-07-10). "Boy, 11, walks 59 days and 668 miles for homeless". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ^ a b Parker, Beth (2009-07-09). "Fla. Boy Walks to D.C. for Homeless". WTTG. Fox Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
- ^ "Zach Bonner starts 'March Across America'". WTVT. 2010-03-23. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
- ^ a b c d Nicholson, Dave (2010-08-11). "Seffner boy's walk for homeless profiled on NBC". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
- ^ 劉芳 (2010-03-25). "十二歲慈善家 步行四千公里 募款助孤童". Sina.com. Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
- ^ Stein, Letitia (2006-09-21). "Valrico boy gets presidential award". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Leone, Jared (2006-04-07). "Bush honors young philanthropist". St. Petersburg Times. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Van Dusen, Christine (2009-04-03). "Learning without limits: How the rise of online instruction is changing the nature of schooling". Oregon Virtual Schools. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite news}}
: Check|archiveurl=
value (help) - ^ "11-year-old hiking to Washington will stop in Charlotte Wednesday". Salisbury Post. 2009-06-02. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ Hargus, Relma (2008-02-12). ""Huggable Hero" helps hurricane evacuees in BR". The Advocate. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
Zach Bonner is not a "been there, done that" kind of guy. He had no qualms about asking the Missouri-based company for the bears since he is a "Huggable Hero," an award the company gives each year to 12 kids...
- ^ "2007 Huggable Heroes". Build-A-Bear Workshop. 2007. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ^ "Florida's Ten-Year-Old Zach Bonner Named Winner of Volvo's National Hometown Youth Hero Award for helping Katrina victims". Katrina News. 2008-02-20. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Kinzie, Susan (2009-07-17). "Young philanthropists win big donations". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ^ "Fla. boy, 11, walking to D.C. for homeless kids". Associated Press. 2009-05-08. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ a b Routen (2010-03-31). "Wagon to roll onto silver screen". The Tampa Tribune. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
- ^ Arja, Tanya (2010-03-24). "Fla. Boy Bringing Awareness to Homeless Kids". WJBK. Archived from the original on 2010-04-17. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
- ^ Kilday, Greg (2010-03-04). "'Little Red Wagon' pic finds director". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2010-08-10.
- ^ a b Smith, Ben (2008-11-17). "11-year old walks from Florida to Atlanta for homeless". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
- ^ "Zach Bonner: Little Red Wagon". WSTR. 2009-05-08. Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
External links
- Official website
- Zach Bonner on Facebook
- Zach Bonner on Twitter
- Zach Tracker – tracks Zach's trip
- March Across America website