Locally filmed ‘Little Red Wagon’ premieres at Mount Pleasant gala

Mount Pleasant — More than 220 people attended a Hollywood-style red carpet event Friday night at Regal Cinemas at the premiere of “Little Red Wagon,” a major motion picture filmed locally in 2010.

The movie tells the true story of Zach Bonner, now 14, who started a nonprofit organization called Little Red Wagon Foundation when he was 7 to aid the 1.3 million homeless children in the United States.

Bonner, who attended the event, set out to help homeless children by walking 280 miles from Tampa to Tallahassee, Fla., when he was only 8 years old.

“When I started learning about youth homelessness, it was heartbreaking,” Bonner said. “I kept thinking that if I was one of those kids I’d want someone to help me.”

The premiere also honored 21 local children who were nominated for a children’s philanthropy award for making a difference in the Lowcountry through volunteerism, fundraising efforts and community service.

The Wonderific Community Service Award is a part of Charleston Philanthropy Week that takes place Nov. 12-18, and will be given to a local child at a ceremony Nov.13.

“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many homeless youth and it re-inspires me to do what I do,” Bonner said.

“Little Red Wagon” is in theaters Oct. 19-25.

For more information about the film, visit www.littleredwagonthemovie.com.

Reach Shannon Brigham at 958-7393 or on Twitter at @shannonbrigham.