The Tampa Tribune
Flanked by hundreds of supporters cheering him on, young philanthropist Zach Bonner, a voice for homeless youth since age 6, stepped into a 2,478-mile March Across America to bring attention to the cause. Bonner, 12, of Valrico, will travel through towns and cities across the nation, accompanied by a documentary film crew from now through September to raise awareness of the thousands of homeless children in America.
His trip will end at a Boys & Girls Club in a crime-ridden section of Los Angeles, where his foundation and sponsors will provide new school uniforms, backpacks and shoes to underprivileged and homeless kids.
"It seemed like a good place to send out the message," he said.
Zach started off his campaign this morning from Lazy Days RV Campground, where several hundred people, including 57 students from Carrollwood Day School who are studying poverty, joined him to walk the first mile.
The locally owned Lazy Days has contributed an RV for Zach and his family to stay in as they travel and has helped promote his cause locally and through employee gifts.
Dozens of other companies have also stepped forward, including the Office Depot Foundation, which is donating a backpack for every mile he walks. The 2,478 backpacks will go to needy kids.
"I don't get tired of it," he said prior to this morning's press conference. For Zach, his cause is just another part of his life. "Some kids just can't up and get out of homelessness," he said. "Sometimes, that's what keeps me going."
"He's the real deal," said Michael Guillen, a best-selling author and producer of an upcoming movie about Zach and his foundation.
The Philanthropy Project, which is producing the film, expects to start production in May. All box office proceeds will go back into the Philanthropy Project, whose goal is to inspire others to do good deeds for fellow human beings.
The screen play was written by Patrick Sheane Duncan ("Mr. Holland's Opus") and will be directed by David Anspaugh ("Rudy" and "Hoosiers").
Zach started his Little Red Wagon Foundation after Hurricane Charley roared through Port Charlotte in 2004, leaving so many without food or water. His first act of philanthropy was to spend four months collecting needed supplies for hurricane victims.
Since then, he and his sponsors have helped scores of homeless kids.
"Over 2,000 school-age kids are experiencing homelessness in Hillsborough County," he told the audience at Lazy Days. He urged the youngsters in the crowd to think of ways they can help, too.
People can track and help sponsor Zach's journey through a dedicated AOL Web site, www.MarchAcrossAmerica.com, and a variety of events will take place along the route with local homeless shelters, churches, politicians and others.
No comments:
Post a Comment