Program Note: CNN Heroes received nearly four thousand submissions from 75 countries. A Blue Ribbon Panel selected the Top 10 CNN Heroes for the year, and over 1 million of you voted for your CNN HERO OF THE YEAR
WATCH CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE
A Global Celebration: Thanksgiving Night at 9p ET
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Anderson Cooper
In this time of financial crisis, when Wall Street greed and gluttony seem to be the norm, it is refreshing to be able to take a few moments to talk about Heroes. Today we are announcing the ten CNN Heroes honorees. They have been picked by a distinguished panel from nearly four thousand people you have told us about in the past year. CNN viewers have written us, letting us know about remarkable people doing extraordinary things in 75 countries around the world. We’ve highlighted 30 individuals on the air this year, giving them much deserved praise and attention, and now the top ten CNN Heroes announced today will each be awarded $25,000. You can go online now to vote for the CNN Hero who inspires you the most and had the most impact - the CNN Hero of the Year. On Thanksgiving evening we will broadcast an all-star tribute to all 10 of these heroes but only one will be named the CNN Hero of the Year. That person will be awarded an additional $100,000.Be sure to watch CNN HEROES: AN ALL-STAR TRIBUTE Thanksgiving night at 9p ET. Throughout the day we will share their first reactions on the AC360° blog.
What’s so amazing about these Heroes is that they often did not have much money, but they had an idea and a determination to help other people. They usually started off small, and gradually built their programs using whatever resources they could find.
I don’t know if you saw last year’s tribute, but it was a very moving event. It was so incredible to see these heroes, some of whom rarely receive attention for their good deeds, all on a stage together. They came from different parts of the globe, and yet shared one thing in common: concern for others. I know I came away from the night with a renewed desire to do something positive in the world, and I know a lot of other people did as well. I hope you take a moment today to find out more about these Top Ten CNN Heroes of the Year. They have already changed so many people’s lives, and once you get to know their stories, they just might change your life as well.
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Want to do something? IMPACT YOUR WORLD
| Cindy |
October 9th, 2008 9:08 am ET Anderson, Honestly I haven't seen many of the honorees this year on CNN. I wasn't even sure you all would be doing this again this year until you started running ads for the show. I'm glad that you all decided to do it again and this year in the Kodak Theatre. That will be cool! Cindy...Ga. |
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| Marcy |
October 9th, 2008 9:10 am ET amen that was one of the better CNN specials aired last year and i can't wait for this one. I hope this will continue to be a yearly event! Marcy |
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| Annie Kate |
October 9th, 2008 9:12 am ET I saw last year's event and it was very inspiring. I'm looking forward to seeing this year's show as well. Its encouraging to know that in this fast paced world we live in now that is so depersonalized that there are people who will still reach out a helping hand and a caring heart for someone in need. CNN does us all a great service by reminding us of this each year; I hope this will continue for many years to come. Annie Kate |
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| Martina Ilstad Germany |
October 9th, 2008 9:14 am ET Hey Anderson |
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| Michelle fonthill,ont, canada |
October 9th, 2008 9:19 am ET HI Anderson Thanks for the post Anderson |
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| Joshua Cudd, San Antonio, TX |
October 9th, 2008 9:19 am ET And why wasn't Mr. Anderson Cooper on this list? |
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| Mike, NC |
October 9th, 2008 9:27 am ET Anderson, |
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| Cheryl Munford |
October 9th, 2008 9:51 am ET Heroes: How does one choose? They are all so special. I really can't. My vote was out of shame. I will never forgot how people in New Orleans died from thirst and needs while our government could not get their "act" together. |
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| Heather,ca |
October 9th, 2008 10:02 am ET Thank you Anderson for continuing to acknowledge people who engage in selfless acts of kindness to make our world a better place. You are my truthful and honest news hero. |
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| Betty Ann, Nacogdoches,TX |
October 9th, 2008 10:14 am ET Good Morning Anderson! |
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| pati mc., camp hill, pa |
October 9th, 2008 10:15 am ET Hi Anderson, Wow. You were up early! Hope you get a chance to rest some before tonight. Talk about your long day. Yikes! Your presentation was awesome. I am off to read the pieces on these amazing folks and vote. They are all so worthy! Tough decision. Great choice to do CNN Heroes on Thanksgiving, Anderson. Completely appropriate. See you tonight! Get some rest. |
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| Anne,Newfoundland,Canada |
October 9th, 2008 10:24 am ET Anderson: These days,with all the doom,gloom,greed,corruption,etc.,it is nice to see REAL people for a change,doing good for others,and NOT for themselves. How anyone could narrow this field down to just 10, well,it must have been incredibly hard. They ALL deserve recognition,praise,and to be called heroes,for their caring,compassion,and their willingness to try and make a difference somehow....thank heavens for people like them. Thank you,CNN for bringing their stories to us. Congratulations to ALL the thousands of people who were considered for these awards: you are ALL our heroes for what you do,you ALL deserve this honor. I look forward to this years show. Take care,Anderson. Anne |
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| Genny |
October 9th, 2008 10:26 am ET Anderson: In your selection of the CNN Heroes, were any of our combat heros or their family members considered? |
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| Jon schnieder |
October 9th, 2008 10:59 am ET Well, Washington has done it to us again. They bail out these bums on wall st. so it becomes party time and AIG sends salesmen to a resort thanks to American Tax payers. I could NEVER dream of going to a resort of this type even in the best of times but I'm paying for these bums to go. Where are the strick guide lines Washington was going to keep on all this money given to AIG and others. To top it all off, everything is still going down the toilet. |
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| Rob Hughes |
October 9th, 2008 11:14 am ET There are a litany of conspirators from CEO greed, Congressional incompetence (and Greed) and citizen greed. the hardest part of this whole issue is to affect a change a paradiagm shift must occur. Let us not forget it was the american consumer that drove the economy for years. If you don't believe ask a friend honestly how much credit card debt he/she current holds? Or how much have they saved in their 401k's? Don't be surprised to hear the lasting affects of the Dems and Repubs is a culture that was enabled to incurr enough debt to choak a horse. We should all give a resounding applause to ourselves for contributing to this crisis. Keeping up with the Jones' has polarized society into those with debt and those without (have vs have nots). Same classical discussion be we dug ourselves in this hole. How to get out? Hold people from the top down accountable. From CEO's to the oversight committee and goverment agencies (don't buy the I did not know excuse). Recall the elected officials this spring for their incompetence. Purge the congress of this poison. At least give the new president a fight chance (whom ever it might be....) Rob |
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| Sarah in FL |
October 9th, 2008 11:59 am ET Anderson.... |
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| Lilibeth |
October 9th, 2008 12:17 pm ET I look forward to the Heroes special this year. When I saw last year’s special, I learned that we can all be heroes. We can help in many ways, big and small; it doesn’t matter what it is because whatever we’re doing to help others is making a difference in other people’s lives. Heroes are not necessarily famous; in fact, they don’t do it for fame and fortune, they do it out of kindness and love. This is what the world needs now, more than anything. Thank you, Anderson and CNN, for hosting this special again this year. Lilibeth |
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| Theresa Berger |
October 9th, 2008 12:18 pm ET Hello Anderson, While there are thousands upon thousands of heroes throughout many parts of the world – I can only want for their good work to come from their hearts and not for the evident appearance of being recognized as a hero just because... Heroes are silent...and not to say that those whom are going to be recognized aren't. And in saying that – I would like to commend you on your work for being a hero yourself by placing yourself within the eye of the torrential storms that had come and gone...jeorpardizing your own safety by giving your heart to make sure that others like myself are aware. It's easy to be determined a hero – but what is the principle foundation that it relies upon? I am never intending to argue your comments, thoughts or feelings. We all grow in some way – by learning the thoughts and feelings of others although it may not apply to our lives directly. A hero puts their lives on the line regardless of the struggle. And it's going to take a hero to pull this country out of the struggle that it's in. I enjoy your reporting. Have an enjoyable day. |
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| Hannah Storm |
October 9th, 2008 1:18 pm ET Wow this is going to be a very hard decision because all 10 are so deserving. I am really looking forward to watching the Heroes special in November |
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| John F. Rogers |
October 9th, 2008 1:29 pm ET Not a single soldier. How interesting. |
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| Camina T. in Arroyo Grande CA |
October 9th, 2008 3:10 pm ET This cnn awards show is held in LA? Why LA? Because we need it or because of Hollywood? If it is being held in LA I wish it was being held somewhere else in the usa.. LA is a massive city that has got enough awards shows going on. And Cooper you host it all by yourself? Cnn's Kyra Phillips just did a great job talking about the heros . She is the best red headed anchor in my generation and alot more fun than Couric. I think she could help you out on stage and would probably love to do it. |
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| Paula, Colorado |
October 9th, 2008 4:01 pm ET Anderson, |
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| Jennifer - Michigan |
October 9th, 2008 5:40 pm ET I really enjoyed last year's tribute! It was very heartwarming and inspiring. It's a perfect time to shine a light on all those wonderful people in the world. I'm looking forward to watching this Thanksgiving. You did a great job hosting, by the way. |
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| Terra Hoskins |
October 9th, 2008 7:46 pm ET Hi Anderson, Thank you for bringing these stories to us. And thanks to the people who just had an idea, thought they could help someone else and had the courage to try. |
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| Pamina |
October 9th, 2008 9:32 pm ET Hi Anderson, |
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| penelope |
November 11th, 2008 5:06 pm ET the concept of a "hero" is rather outdated in an era where collective action leads to spectacular results .. to ascribe to heroes is an act of vanity ..no man/woman can stand alone |
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| Stephanie - 25 - Placentia, CA |
November 11th, 2008 5:24 pm ET Hi Anderson, I love CNN Heroes, but how can I vote for just ONE of them?! This is going to be an extremely difficult decision! They all deserve to be the winner. Love your show. |
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| Deborah Winthrop |
December 1st, 2008 10:41 am ET Dear Anderson: The CNN Heros event Thanksgiving night was exceptional. Kudos to you for sponsoring this and for getting involved and searching for the truth day in and day out. Your program is unsurpassed. Keep up the good work. We watch you every night. Sincerely, D Winthrop |
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| Lisa Washington |
December 2nd, 2008 11:51 am ET I know that I'm saying this after CNN Heros event is over; but never year can we find out about the winner on that given day. I was very excited to know the winner but was disappointed to here who had won beforehand. Please keep it to yourself until the program air. After they announce it , it took all the joy of watching it . I mean why watch it when you already know the winner. I did watch it because I love everything CNN to. So next year surprise me. Also great job Anderson on a job always well done. |
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| Michelle Fischer- Lafayette IN |
December 3rd, 2008 9:30 pm ET Anderson, I watched CNN Heroes last year, and I was so moved, and this year was no different!!!! Wonderful Job to ALL of you! CNN is THE BEST!!! Have a great show tonight! 360 Fan, |
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