Beliefnet names "Most Inspiring Person"

Zach Bonner has been named Beliefnet’s “Most Inspiring Person of the Year. for 2009.”

Bonner, a 12 year old philanthropist, created his own nonprofit called the Little Red Wagon Foundation and he led several national initiatives to raise awareness of and help homeless children.

He was among several nominees, including Oklahoman Capt. Katie Illingworth (pictured at far right. At her left is Air Force Maj. Tobin Griffeth), for the inspirational online community’s annual award.

Award nominees were sent in by readers and then readers’ voted on the finalists.  Bonner was chosen from among the top three nominees who received the highest number of readers’ votes after voting closed on Dec. 12.

“Sometimes it takes a child to lead the way to right action, and that’s exactly what Zach Bonner has done,” Laurie Sue Brockway, Beliefnet’s family and inspiration editor, said in a news release.