
Los Angeles (CNN) – Robin Lim, an American woman who has helped thousands of poor Indonesian women have a healthy pregnancy and birth, was named the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year on Sunday night.
Through her Yayasan Bumi Sehat health clinics, "Mother Robin," or "Ibu Robin" as she is called by the locals, offers free prenatal care, birthing services and medical aid in Indonesia, where many families cannot afford care.
"Every baby's first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet," Lim said during "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles and recognized Lim and the other top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.
Watch four days of production building the new CNN Heroes stage at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, is live tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Editor's note: Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes, whose profiles are available to view at www.cnnheroes.com, received a $50,000 grant for being named as this year’s honorees. One of 2011 CNN Heroes will be named the “CNN Hero of the Year” live on the tribute show, as voted by fans across the globe, and will receive an additional $250,000 grant to further aid their charitable work. During the live broadcast, the Top 10 CNN Heroes will each have his or her story told by a celebrity. CNN is proud to announce additional celebrity presenters and participants including:
• Jerry Seinfeld, Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and television and film producer
• George Lopez, entertainer and long-time supporter of CNN Heroes, will be introducing Hometown Heroes, showing viewers what you can do to be a hero in your very own backyard
• Sofia Vergara, Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG-nominated actress
• Mary-Louise Parker, Award winning actress, Showtime’s Weeds and supporter of Hope North Uganda
• Ice Cube, Rapper, actor, screenwriter and producer
• Laura Dern, Golden Globe Award winning Actress and star of HBO’s Enlightened
• Chris Colfer, Golden Globe winner, two-time Emmy nominee, SAG nominee, and star of Fox’sGlee, will be presenting to youths who are being recognized and honored by CNN as “Young Wonders.”
• Emma Roberts, Actress, will be presenting to youths who are being recognized and honored by CNN as “Young Wonders.”
Designer Nate Berkus shares his experience as a victim of a tsunami and his personal connection to the Red Cross. Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Actress Kristin Chenoweth shares the inspiration behind Maddie's Corner, her organization that supports shelter animals. Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Since 2007, CNN has profiled more than 160 everyday people who are changing the world. Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
Actor Rainn Wilson describes the work that inspires him outside "The Office." Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET.
(CNN) – Since 2008, Richard St. Denis and his nonprofit, World Access Project, have provided hundreds of wheelchairs and mobility aids to people living with disabilities in rural Mexico.
St. Denis and his group also teach recipients how to use their chairs and maximize their quality of life.
CNN asked St. Denis for his thoughts on being chosen as one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.
CNN: Where were you when you got the call that you'd been selected as a Top 10 CNN Hero?
Richard St. Denis: I was at home in Santiago Casandeje, Mexico. I was completely surprised.
I am honored to be one of the Top 10. The door has been opened to show the world the huge need for wheelchairs in Mexico, the plight of those who are stuck in their house because they can't move, and all the lives we are changing.
J.R. Martinez describes his connection with Operation Finally Home, a nonprofit that gives free homes to injured vets. Watch CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, hosted by Anderson Cooper, live on Sunday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET. This year, J.R. will co-host the pre-show with A.J. hammer at 7 p.m. ET!
(CNN) – Since 2005, Bruno Serato has been serving up free pasta dinners to children, many of whom are poor and live in motels with their families.
Serato is an Italian chef and the founder of Caterina's Club, a nonprofit that provides dinner seven days a week to more than 300 children at the Boys & Girls Club in Anaheim, California. CNN asked Serato for his thoughts on being chosen as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2011.
CNN: Where were you when you got the call that you'd been selected as a top 10 CNN Hero?
Bruno Serato: I was home, getting ready to go to work after talking to my mom in Italy over Skype.
I can't express the feelings I had at that moment. I was so happy. I was in tears. I wanted to scream like Tarzan! It was amazing news.
CNN: What do you hope this recognition will mean to Caterina's Club?
Serato: This gives me hope that I can make Caterina's Club a leader in resolving children's hunger in America.

