WELCOME

An Unofficial Tribute to One Boy’s Walk for Change

“You’re never too young to make a difference.”

— Zach Bonner

"Some stories change the world. Others change a life. This one did both."


Who is Zach Bonner?

Zach Bonner was just 6 years old when he began collecting supplies for hurricane victims using a little red wagon, He collected 27 pickup trucks full of water and supplies to help victims in his Tampa Bay, Florida, community. That small act of kindness sparked a movement that would carry him thousands of miles across the United States raising awareness for homeless youth and inspiring millions.

Through the Little Red Wagon Foundation, Zach Bonner distributed over 40,000 of “Zachpacks,” met with lawmakers, and proved that compassion and courage aren’t bound by age. His story was later captured in the feature film Little Red Wagon, which continues to move hearts around the world.


Zach Bonner walked thousands of miles to raise awareness for homeless youth, founding the Little Red Wagon Foundation and inspiring a generation of service to this day. This site exists to honor his legacy, preserve the impact of his journey, and reflect on how one young man’s mission sparked a deeper calling in others including myself.

 

Whether you're here to learn about Zach’s Bonner walks, his mission or revisit the film, or explore how his story continues to inspire community action, we invite you to walk with us and help make a difference in the lives of around the world.

Key Accomplishments

Hurricane Charley Relief Effort (2004)

At age 6, following Hurricane Charley, Zach Bonner collected 27 pickup trucks full of water and supplies in his red wagon to help victims in his Tampa Bay, Florida, community.

Founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation (2005)

At age 7, Zach Bonner created this nonprofit to support homeless children after Hurricane Charley. It became a national symbol of youth-led service, showcasing the power of young individuals to make a difference in their community. Zach Bonner is widely recognized as one of the youngest children to create and lead a nonprofit charity.

24 Hours (2007 -2015) (Live in Cardboard boxes 24hrs)

It simulated being homeless for 24 hours. Kids ages 12 to 21 years old each paid $24 to live in cardboard boxes for 24 hours the event was designed to educate participants, particularly youth, about the challenges faced by homeless children by having them experience a simulated version of homelessness.

Holiday & Relief Events

  • The Little Red Wagon Foundation Inc has hosted Holiday parties for homeless youth, victims of natural disasters, unwed mothers (under 21), emergency foster care kids, domestic violence shelters and others. 
  • Hosted 23 parties for homeless youth at venues like Build-A-Bear, Chuck E. Cheese, Six Flags, and Putt Putt 
  • Served 4,800+ children and families affected by homelessness, domestic violence, foster care, and natural disasters 
  • Donated 62 pallets of school supplies and 2,000+ books to Title I schools and migrant programs 
  • Distributed 450 additional books to homeless youth and foster kids Provided sporting equipment to programs serving disaster-affected youth

 Stats Site

Backpack Distribution (Zach Pack's)

Zach Bonner Little Red Wagon Foundation has made and distributed over 40,000 backpacks across the country to homeless youth full of food, personal hygiene kits and other supplies. Zach also includes a candy pack and small toy in each backpack to show the kids he is helping that he cares about their kid needs as well as their basic needs. 

(Valued at over $30 per backpack) Stats Site

INSPIRED A FEATURE FILM

Little Red Wagon (2012) His story was dramatized in a Lionsgate movie, further amplifying his message and legacy. The movie dramatizes Zach’s real-life efforts to help homeless children, beginning with his response to Hurricane Charley and culminating in his cross-country walks to raise awareness.


 — Features Zach’s early visit to Lazydays, showing how corporate support played a role in his outreach. The film doesn’t just tell Zach’s story it invites viewers to believe that age is no barrier to impact. It’s a cinematic tribute to grassroots activism, family support, and the power of one person to spark national change

MAJOR FUNDRAISER WALKS 

My House to the White House - 3 Part Walk

2007: Walked 280 miles from Tampa to Tallahassee, Florida, raising $25,000.

2008: Walked 250 miles from Tallahassee to Atlanta, Georgia, raising over $7,000 for Habitat for Humanity.

2009: Completed a 668-mile walk from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., in 59 days to raise money for homeless children. This walk culminated with support from Elton John, and other supporters

Other Events & Local Walks: Walked 587 miles for Local Community walks, prep miles, and symbolic events.


March Across America (2010): 

Zach Bonner walked approximately 2,478 miles from Tampa, Florida, to Los Angeles, Californiaaveraging 17 to 22 miles a day over nearly six months. During the journey, he visited homeless shelters and organized activities for homeless children. He became the youngest person to walk coast to coast in the U.S. at age 12. The GPS Device used allowed supporters to follow Zach Bonner progress in real time as well allowed Multiple television and radio stations tracked for their viewers Zach Bonner's journey across America using the "Zach Tracker" GPS device donated by Sean Leone - S&L Services and Lazydays RV Donated an RV for Zach’s long-distance walks, including March Across America.

Zach Bonner began the 2,478-mile walk on March 23, 2010, and completed the walk on September 14, 2010, took 178 days of walking. At the age of 12, He became the youngest person to walk from the East Coast of the United States to the West Coast of the United States.

Total Walked for all events was approximately 4,263 miles to raise awareness for homeless youth for his walking events



Zach in a Box (2013)

Zach Bonner at the age of 12 Lived is 8ft x8ft 512-cubic-foot plexiglass box for 7 days to simulate homelessness in a field near Westfield Brandon mall with only a sleeping bag and basic supplies to simulate the experience of child homelessness. The goal? To raise awareness and donations for homeless. He collected over 6,000 cans of food given to Metropolitan Ministries and Francis House.

Food for a Million (2014)

November 7, 2014, noon to noon on November 8, 2014, Zach and his team at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa organized what became the World’s Largest Food Drive in 24 Hours. The drive was supported by major sponsors like Walmart, Winn-Dixie, Performance Food Group, and Publix. They successfully collected a staggering 566,443 pounds of food in just one day. The collected food was delivered to 10 counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Highlands, Hardee, and Manatee.

Zach Bonner’s Journey: From Red Wagon to National Impact

Zach Bonner - Wikipedia Page

Little Red Wagon Foundation - Wikipedia Page

Little Red Wagon - The Movie Wikipedia Page 

The Little Red Wagon - The Movie Trailer

Context: Beyond the Headlines - Little Red Wagon (Part 1)

Context: Beyond the Headlines - Little Red Wagon (Part 2)

Context: Beyond the Headlines - Little Red Wagon (Part 3)

The Zach Bonner Story - Click Here
Peace First Prize Zach Bonner sharing his reason why - Click Here
Amazing Kid: Zach Bonner Tampa Bay 28 - Food for Million Interview
12-Year-Old Marches Across U.S.- CBS Interview
Zach Bonner - The Invisible Youth of America - Click Here
Zach Bonner and the Lazydays Employee Foundation Video - Lazydays Speech
I Met A Real Hero - Zach Bonner
ABC15 Arizona - How a young boy helps those in need - Interview
Sally Gins Story of Zach Bonner - Click Here
Q105's Nikki Cruz Interviews Zach Bonner After the walks - Click Here
LITTLE RED WAGON MOVIE PREMIERE - Lowcountry Live Interview
Johnjay and Rich Interview Zach Bonner - Interview
Daily Inspirations Podcast - Little Red Wagon (Rerun) Story
24 Hours - Click Here
My House To The White House - Pictures in Video 
Making Backpacks for Homeless Youth - Click Here
Scarlett Turner gets the inside scoop from Cody Simpson & Zach Bonner March Across America - Last Mile
Zach Bonner Speaking at Trinity Hill Methodist Lexington KY 2014 Wildfire - Click Here
Cierre Anual 2015 Niños en Acción Invitado especial Zachary Bonner - Interview
MHTTWH Episode #2: Atlanta Send Off
MHTTWH Episode #4: Rural South Carolina Walking
MHTTWH Episode #5: Charlotte, NC Part 1 Walking
MHTTWH Episode #6: Charlotte, NC Part 2 Walking
MHTTWH Episode #7: Virginia Walking
MHTTWH Episode #8: Richmond, VA Walking
MHTTWH Episode #9: Enter DC Walking
MHTTWH Episode #10: Conclusion of the Walk


Awards & Honors

Some of his most notable awards include

Honor / Award Presented By Year
Presidential Service Award U.S. Government 2006
Daily Point of Light Award (#3143) Points of Light Foundation 2006
Build-A-Bear Huggable Hero Build-A-Bear Workshop 2007
Alexandra Scott Butterfly Award – Volvo for Life Awards Volvo Cars of North America 2008
Featured in National Documentary (Volvo for Life) Volvo 2008
CNN Hero Nominee CNN 2009
Keynote Speaker – Youth Symposium Children’s Philanthropy Center 2010
Featured in Film – Little Red Wagon Lionsgate / Filmanthropy Media 2012
Mayoral Proclamations & Civic Honors Various Cities (Zach Bonner Day, Keys to the City) 2007–2010


BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD


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Screenshot 2025-09-26 202711
Zach Bonner Tribute Story