11 Year-Old Boy Works to Fight Homelessness

Youngsters never cease to amaze me. In just the few short months of Sublime Goodness, I've posted many stories of inspirational youth. This is no exception:

In just two weeks, Zach Bonner's black-and-red sneakers have hit about 170 miles of pavement. They'll log hundreds more miles as Zach continues his 50-day "My House to the White House" journey to the nation's capitol, raising awareness of child homelessness.

Zach, of Tampa, Fla., made a pit stop in Spartanburg's Cleveland Park Wednesday to invite local students to walk with him, then pass his message on to others.

"I would like to continue to educate as many people as possible about the problem of homelessness," 11-year-old Zach said. "That is what the walk is about - to raise awareness."

At just 7 years old, Zach founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation Inc. (www.littleredwagonfoundation.com), with the motto "Kids helping kids one wagon full at a time." On the 668-mile walk, Zach says he hopes to draw attention to the more than 1.3 million homeless children in the country.

"I want people to know the truth about homeless children," he said. "They're not out there because they want to be, but because of bad situations out of their control."

Students from Chesnee Elementary School joined Zach for a walk around Cleveland Park and delivered more than 100 hand-written letters on child homelessness. Zach hopes to personally deliver any letters he collects along the way to President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C.

CES student Jordan Hensley, 10, wrote about the need to help people who are without a home.

"I feel bad when I see people out there without food and water and how they're struggling to keep their lives," Jordan said. "Always try to help people and never let people starve."

This isn't the first time Zach has walked for the cause. In November 2007, he walked from Tampa to Tallahassee, Fla., and last fall he walked from Tallahassee to Atlanta. He plans to complete this third and final leg on June 29. (from Goupstate.com)

And he is 11! It inspires me to do more (in my old age :).

Here is a short documentary on Zack in his "early" years:



Related Sublime Goodness Posts:

• 8 Year-Old Girl Saves Self, Grandmother by Taking Wheel
• Boy, 5, Saves Dad's Life
• Youth No Obstacle for this Volunteer
• Boy Asks Friends for Food, Not Toys on Birthday
• Kids' Letters to President Obama