What an amazing kid!!!!
Tampa Bay’s Zach Bonner,12-years-old, treks cross country for homeless youth, stops for Elton John
Zachary Bonner, 12, has walked nearly 1,950 miles from his home outside Tampa. Zach, who has been raising money for charity since Hurricane Charley hit in 2004, intends to walk to the Pacific Ocean, all to raise money for homeless children.
He’s 12-years-old and he’s trekking cross country to raise awareness for homeless youth. Zachary Bonner is from Valrico, Florida and this Tampa Bay resident has walked from Tampa to Washington D.C. This summer, the goal is to walk from Tampa to Los Angeles, he’s currently in Arizona where he just took a break to visit someone who’s become a good friend: Elton John.
This journey began on Christmas Day and the toll has visible effects on Zach’s body. He met with reporters for the New York Times this week and could barely speak. His mother said he’s lost so much weight from the walk she can see his ribs. She’s feeding him often and keeping him hydrated but it’s a challenge on an approximately 2,500 mile walk, especially when you’re 12-years-old. Though the average 12-year-old may be known for high metabolism, not many are known for their charitable acts such as Zach. He’s even started his own foundation: The 501 c3 nonprofit Little Red Wagon Foundation Inc.
Even the name has meaning behind it.
After one of the worst hurricanes to devastate Florida, Hurricane Charley in 2004, Zach Bonner, then six-years-old, took his little red Radio Flyer wagon and began his first notable charitable acts. He weaved through his neighborhood and collected food for those impacted by the storm.
By 2007, then 9-years-old, Zach walked 230 miles to Tallahassee, raising money for his organization. The next year, he journeyed 1200 miles to Washington D.C.
Not only has Zach raised extraordinary amounts of money for charity (Zach has raised more than $120,000 this year in cash pledges and donations alone) he has also caught the attention of some very noteworthy people: President George Bush and Elton John for starters. Elton John will give a $50,000 donation to the charity should Zach successfully make it to Los Angeles.
Zach’s amazing life journey will soon be made into a movie. Hoosiers director David Anspaugh is directing the film which began shooting this summer and will tell the story of this uncharacteristic 12-year-old from Tampa Bay. The Philanthropy Project is producing the film. His mother says that all proceeds from selling the rights to the movie were donated by Zach to the Little Red Wagon Foundation.
You may find out more about Zach Bonner and see where he is on his journey at his official website Zach Tracker
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