Homeless advocate on his way

FOLLOW ZACH

SEFFNER - Zach Bonner didn't just throw on his walking shoes and head out to bring attention to the plight of homeless kids across the nation

Before starting on his 2,478-mile March Across America last week, the 12-year-old from Valrico helped pack 3,000 red plastic bags for homeless youngsters. The bags were filled with food, personal hygiene items, first aid kits, candy and small toys

The packets from the Little Red Wagon Foundation will be distributed to youngsters in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa and across the Southeast

He also threw in a foundation check for $1,000 for Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools, run by the Hillsborough Education Foundation

And then he gave a pep talk to those who came to join him at the Lazy Days RV Campground in Seffner

"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

Several hundred supporters joined Zach in the first mile of the walk, which will eventually stretch all the way to Los Angeles and will likely take him until September to complete

Zach will travel through towns and cities across the nation, accompanied by a documentary film crew, to raise awareness about the more than 1 million 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

Along the way, he'll participate in miniprojects, like planting urban gardens, purchasing items for homeless shelters and hosting parties for homeless youth

"It seemed like a good place to send out the message," he said of his ending point

He will be joined in his travels by his mom, Laurie, and for six weeks by his sister, Kelley. His brother, Matt, will tag up and walk the second half of the trip

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 before last week's news 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 inspiring others to do good deeds for their fellow human beings, Guillen said

Zach started his Little Red Wagon Foundation after Hurricane Charley roared through Port Charlotte in 2004, leaving many without food or water. His first act of philanthropy was to spend four months collecting needed supplies for victims

Since then, he and his sponsors have helped scores of homeless kids

FOLLOW ZACH

People can track and help sponsor Zach's journey through a dedicated AOL Web site, www.MarchAcross America.com. Want to know more about child personal hygiene ?

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 627-4763