| KANSAS CITY, Kan. (BP) -- At the age of 8, after Hurricane Charlie devastated parts of Florida in 2004, young Zach Bonner took the plight of homeless kids to heart. The youngest person in the U.S. to create a non-profit foundation aimed at helping homeless kids and their families, Zach and his mother and sister began a mission to help bring hope and happiness to those who could see no light at the end of the tunnel. A new movie entitled "Little Red Wagon" addresses this subject of one child making a difference. This little-film-that-could takes on the cause with courage and resolve. That said, it's not so much the film I wish to discuss here, but rather the family behind the Little Red Wagon Foundation. Though the movie, now in limited release, has a made-for-TV-feel, it nonetheless moves and encourages, and perhaps even inspires us to get outside ourselves and realize that it's only when we do the will of the Lord by caring for others that we find true contentment. "Love the Lord your God ... Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31). In a recent phone interview with now 15-year-old Zachary Bonner, I felt his concern for others. BOATWRIGHT: "Zach, what was the motivating factor that got you so involved in helping other kids?" BONNER: "After hurricane Charlie in Florida, I saw the devastation on TV. I guess the question should be, 'How can you not help?'" BOATWRIGHT: "I write for Baptist Press so I know my readers would like to know if you are a Christian." BONNER: "I am. And I believe faith is a very important part of the work that we do. There's a lot of times when it doesn't look like things are going to work out and then something happens and everything comes together. That's God." BOATWRIGHT: "Has your faith been a part of your determination to help others?" BONNER: "Yep." BOATWRIGHT: "How much of your time is given to these projects? In the film your mom is right by your side most of the time, but I know she has to work. Who helps you?" BONNER: "My sister, my mom and I, we all pitch in. If it wasn't for their support, I wouldn't be able to do it. Right now we've been very busy with the release of the movie. It's meant to bring awareness, so we're working hard to make sure people see it. Like today, I've been going all morning with interviews and will be until about 8 tonight. We have days like this. At other times it's not so busy. But we all put quite a bit of time into it." BOATWRIGHT: "Do you think this is going to be your life's work?" BONNER: "I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I get older, but this work will always be a part of my life." Continued... |