WHEN CHURCHES PRACTICE what they preach, they make a noticeable impact in the world.
When individuals do good, they also make a difference.
This Saturday The Mission Church will impact Appleton, Wisconsin, with a free screening of the movie, Little Red Wagon, based on the true story of Zach Bonner. In 2005, the then 7-year-old founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation, a nonprofit that helps underprivileged kids, focusing on those who are homeless. Just a year earlier, he’d canvassed his Arkansas neighborhood with his little red wagon gathering items for survivors of Hurricane Charley.
Zach, who now lives in Florida, will be in Appleton for the 10 a.m. Saturday, January 24, screening at Valley Value Cinemas, 2165 South Memorial Drive, and for a reception following at The Mission, 314 North Appleton Street. Movie attendees are invited to afterward walk the two miles from the movie theatre to the church, thus visually and publicly raising awareness of homelessness.
Now, you’re likely wondering how I know about this movie event 300 miles from my Minnesota home. Well, my second daughter, Miranda, lives in Appleton and attends The Mission Church. She phoned recently all excited about the Little Red Wagon. I’m not surprised. Twice after Hurricane Katrina, she traveled to New Orleans to assist with clean-up. She’s a young woman with a big heart and a passion for helping others.
So even though this project is not happening in my main readership area, I couldn’t turn down my daughter’s request to publicize this cause.
In addition to the movie showing and the Q & A with Zach, The Mission Church has been collecting small toys, activity books, socks, mittens, sample-size toiletries, food and more to fill 300 “Zach Packs,” bags measuring 14 by 17 inches. These will be gifted to area homeless children through Harbor House (which serves victims and survivors of domestic abuse) and Homeless Connections (an organization helping the homeless in the Fox Valley region), Miranda says.
If you live in eastern Wisconsin, I’d encourage you to attend this Little Red Wagon event in Appleton on Saturday. If you can’t be there, like me, I suggest you check out the Little Red Wagon website by clicking here. The nonprofit accepts monetary donations for its projects. Or take action in your own community.
Watch the movie trailer by clicking here. As the narrator says, “In every one of us there is the power to do great things.”
All we need to do is act.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
This world cannot have enough people like your daughter – big hearts and a passion for helping others are always in high demand. “All we need to do is act” <– nailed it.
Thank you, Dan.
Thank you, Audrey for this post! Now THAT sounds like the type of movie we’d be willing to see as a family! Pass along to Miranda our thanks (I had no idea she was so mission-minded!). We just registered, as a family, to attend an orientation class in order to volunteer regularly at our own rescue mission. Your post seems to be affirmation of our decision. There’s so much need out there – common folks who do not have the means to rise up out of dire situations…
I agree. A movie the entire family can watch. Now I need to see it.
Yes, both girls have been active in mission work, specifically also in Texas and in Paraguay (when they were in high school and college) and now in their local communities/churches.
How wonderful that you and your family will be helping at the rescue mission. I love hearing this, putting faith into action.
I just watched this movie on Netflix last week. Zach is an amazing person with a wonderful mission. It would be an honor to meet him.
If only you lived closer than North Dakota, right?
I need to see this movie.
How exciting. I just ordered a copy. Anxious to see it. Sounds like a great gift idea also.
Let me know what you think of the movie once you’ve watched it. Yes, Little Red Wagon would make a great gift idea.
Reblogged this on Fox Cities Blog and commented:
A free movie showing and a chance to raise awareness for the homeless, right here in Appleton! I love this and such a great cause!
I agree. Thanks for spreading the word with a reblog. And thanks to The Mission Church and all involved in planning this event to help others and raise awareness about homelessness in the Fox Valley.
Absolutely..and thank you for posting! We will also be sharing the link to this on our facebook page and hopefully gain some more attention and get the word out. 🙂
Excellent. Thank you.
What an inspiring young man and I hadn’t heard his story. Miranda certainly sounds like a very caring young lady with a big heart. I hope the event is a big success xx
I hadn’t heard of Zach either and now definitely want to see the film about him. What an inspiration.