Wheels that make the wagon roll
Published Dec 14, 2007Snow and ice might prohibit even the sturdiest of wagons from being navigated over neighborhood sidewalks across the Diocese of Joliet these frigid December days. Yet 10-year-old Florida resident Zach Bonner and his wagon didn't let wind and rain stop him from walking nearly 300 miles from Tampa to Tallahassee in 23 days during the month of November on a mission to raise awareness and money for the 1.3 million children that are homeless.
According to news reports, Bonner and his family call their charitable outreach the Little Red Wagon Foundation; its motto is: Kids helping kids one wagon full at a time. He gave up the chance to have a 10th birthday party and a cozy Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends in exchange for trudging along in sometimes inclement weather on behalf of the mostly faceless boys and girls who for a variety of reasons don't have a warm bed in a loving home.
With assistance from his sister, Kelley, and his mother, the youngster has some lofty goals he hopes to raise enough funds so that Habitat For Humanity can build a house for a homeless family; next year Bonner with his little red wagon in tow intends to head out from Florida's capital, Tallahassee, and walk to Atlanta, Ga., another 300-mile adventure.
It takes many folks with a spirit as enlivened as the 10-year-old Florida boy to make a permanent difference in the lives of those living on the edge in homeless or impoverished conditions. Still it's possible to make a small inroad in alleviating the financial crisis that many face, even if just for a day or two.
It's not necessary to head out on the highway in order to serve up Christmas joy for someone in our diocese in need of help. Please take a look at some of the Catholic Charities clients profiled on the back page of this issue and then deliver a virtual red wagon brimming with kindness to one of those individuals or families by making a donation to the Gift of Christmas. Together we can be the wheels that make the wagon of generosity roll.