10 year-old Santa in Central Florida: Feeding Abandoned Pets

Zach Wilson of Longwood, Florida is finally 10 years-old.  However he is not your typical 10 year-old, he is a boy that has a dream and is making it happen.

Last year we reported on this 9 year old Santa - this year at 10 years-old, Zach has stepped up his mission and is having his First Annunal Holiday Party to benefit his food pantry for animals.
With many families struggling in today's economy, many pets are being abandoned on a daily basis.  People can't afford to feed and vaccinate their pets. Zach makes it his mission to help as many needy pets and animals as possible.

The Animal Pantry of Central Florida offers several services such as:

• Pet food distribution to economically challenged, disabled, & elderly
• Spay and neuter programs
• Information and referrals about low cost veterinary care
• Help on finding pet-friendly housing
• We will continue to add services as funding/donations permit

Can you help build his dream?  Learn more about Central Florida Animal Pantry and if you can help, please donate.  Donations needed are not only monetary, there may be a skill you have or even office supplies!  Check out their list. Central Florida Animal Pantry is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization.  Your donations are tax deductible.

Follow Zach and his mission on Twitter and Facebook!

Read more.

Sue Scheff: Ellen DeGeneres Broadens 10 year-old Boy's Dream to Feed Homeless Pets

As many Floridians are facing foreclosures, losing their homes and struggling to feed their own families, there is one 10 year-old boy that is helping our four legged friends through his dedication and devotion to not let them go hungry.

Zach Wilson, at 9 years-old, decided he would make that difference.  Today the now 10 year-old has received the attention of comedian Ellen DeGeneres as her and her show, Ellen, arrived at Universal Studios in Orlando recently.

The Animal Pantry, along with the community sponsors and volunteers, provides pet food, supplies and low cost services to pet owners so that they’ll be able to keep their pets without financial burden.

Halo, Purely for Pets, a producer of holistic pet-care products, is donating 5,000 meals of its Spot’s Stew to the Central Florida Animal Pantry, courtesy of Warner Bros. and Ellen DeGeneres on behalf of WESH-Channel 2.

This donation is part of Halo’s and Ellen’s initiative to donate 1 million meals in 2010 to shelter pets and raise awareness of the need for pet adoption.

Watch video of 10 year-old Zach Wilson. He is an inspiration!  Thank you Ellen, for giving so generously! Read more.

Sue Scheff: Central Florida Animal Food Pantry - 9 year-old boy inspires

Calling all animal lovers, Zach Wilson is a little boy with a huge heart! His love for animals is contagious and what a perfect time of year to spotlight this wonderful story.

On Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Zach Wilson and his goal to feed and take care of pets was featured on NBC Nightly News, Making a Difference and that he is! (Watch video below).

Fourth grader Zach Wilson, along with his mother, Erica, created a food pantry for pets. Many kids his age are anxiously waiting for Santa to visit them, and there is nothing wrong with that (we were all excited little tots once), however to see this expression of generosity is nothing short of inspirational.

Zach has even bigger plans for the future, he wants to build a sanctuary for animals!

With today's economy, many people are having to cut back on expenses. Zach's mission is to help as many of them as possible so the pets don't miss their shots or in need of food. Here is Zach's dream:

We need some place that can help people keep their pets, some place that we can have the pantry, discounted veterinary care, a home for disabled and elderly animals to live out the rest of their days safely with people who love them, and can care for them, some place special.

Can you help build his dream? Learn more about Central Florida Animal Pantry and if you can help, please donate. Donations needed are not only monetary, there may be a skill you have or even office supplies! Check out their list. Central Florida Animal Pantry is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. Your donations are tax deductible.

Follow Zach and his mission on Twitter and Facebook!

Check out our 2009 Inspirational Teens and Kids. Watch for a profile of Zach Wilson in 2010!

Watch the video and learn more about this 9 year-old that radiates inspiration.