From the Tampa Tribune: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/07/na-boys-good-deeds-earn-national-praise/
By YVETTE C. HAMMETT
yhammett@tampatrib.com
A 12-year-old boy with a heart for the homeless and downtrodden in this world is among an elite list of humanitarians nominated for Most Inspiring Person of the Year.
Beliefnet, a Web site devoted to saluting people whose actions inspire others to live better lives, has named Zach Bonner as one of 10 nominees for the award. People can go online to vote for their favorite through Dec. 12 at www.beliefnet.com.
"It's simply breathtaking how one true act of selflessness can inspire and encourage an entire nation - sometimes even the world - in empowering and life-affirming ways," said Beliefnet managing editor Michael Kress.
"While this year has been a tough one for many, each of our 10 nominees has revealed an amazing inner spirit and sense of caring and concern for others," Kress said.
Zach, who is home-schooled, has collected more than $350,000 in donations through his Little Red Wagon Foundation, started when he was 7 years old. He has helped homeless youths and raised money for hurricane victims. His latest contribution went to A Kids Place, a new group home for foster children in Brandon, for construction of a playground.
Last year, the youngster made a 1,200-mile "My House to the White House" walk to raise money to house homeless youths. This year, he is doing a coast-to-coast walk in increments to benefit a Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles.
Zach, who could not be reached for comment, is thought to be on a leg of his walk to Los Angeles, a Beliefnet spokeswoman said.
The youngster was honored in October with a Caring Award from the Caring Institute, whose mission is to promote the values of caring, integrity and public service.
The 10 nominated for this award, including US Airways Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III, who safely piloted a plane into the Hudson River, and Kaleb Eulls, a Mississippi football player who tackled a gun-waving girl on his school bus, were first nominated by Beliefnet users.
Members of the Beliefnet community, which is much like the social network Facebook, submitted names, which were reviewed by Family and Inspiration Editor Laurie Sue Brockway and the editorial staff, then narrowed down to 10.
Other nominees include:
•Jill and Kevin's Wedding Dance, an inspirational video used as an anti-domestic violence fundraiser
•Jorge Munuz, a Queens bus driver who cooks for the hungry each night
•Boston Hospital CEO Paul Levy, who slashed his own salary and encouraged his staff to keep people working
•Air Force Maj. Tobin Griffeth and Capt. Katie Illingworth, fans of football rivals who rallied in support of Afghanistan families
•Michael J. Fox, the "incurable optimist" who advocates for a cure for Parkinson's Disease
•Danny Cottrell, a recession-weary Alabama pharmacist inspired by his community to pay it forward by handing out bonuses to employees with the understanding it had to go to charity and local businesses
•Iranians for Freedom, who took to the streets to protest what they perceived as an unfair presidential election
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