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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Carolyn LeCroy started the Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents.

Carolyn Lecroy | MY STORY

When I got the called I had to set down, I couldn’t say a word, tears just ran down my face, then it really hit me and I think the first words or understandable word out of my mouth, besides you’re kidding, was, oh my God, just think of the number of messages we can do now. Then I think I said something about getting a new camera, that we needed so badly and would be able to get this year.

Now that it has really settled in I can only think about how many more messages we can do and how to expanded the project for this year so more children get a Christmas Message from their Mom or Dad. How many more we will be able to do over the next year.

I was also thinking how you really can make something happen with faith, hard work and tenacity . And how much I appreciate the support from everyone concerned and their belief in me and the project.

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Want to do something? IMPACT YOUR WORLD

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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Watch Anderson Cooper reveal the 10 CNN Heroes finalists for 2008. Viewers can vote for Hero of the Year.

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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Ethiopia native brings free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of children in his homeland.

Yohannes Gebregeorgis | MY STORY

It’s never occurred to me that I’ll be honored as a hero. It was a pleasant surprise when I was informed. This honor bestowed on me has made me look back at the long march it’s taken to get where we are now.

Thousands of people have joined the march and the movement to create a culture of reading and literacy in Ethiopia. Personally, I’ve believed from the outset that this is my missionary calling, a calling that I’ve taken to heart with love and devotion.

I’m thrilled, delighted and humbled by the honor. However, this honor is shared by many, first and foremost by our dedicated and selfless board of directors and by thousands of ordinary folks, particularly school children all over the United States.

Keep reading

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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Tad Agoglia started the First Response Team to provide immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters.

Tad Agoglia | MY STORY

I would be happy to share my thoughts about being selected as one of the top ten with you. The past few weeks have been extremely challenging to me personally and this news could not have come at a better time.

For the past 17 months I have been traveling around the country responding to the 19 largest storms to hit the U.S. The question that so many reporters and victims have asked me is ‘How do I pay for all this?’ My answer was always simple and honest, from hurricane cleanup because they are the largest storms in scope, typically anticipated well in advance to allow for maximum preparedness and evacuation, and usually covering hundreds of miles from which offers of contractual work could bring in a few hundred thousand dollars, which in turn would keep The First Response Team funded.

With fuel prices rising, the economy threatened and more epic storms then ever in recorded history I knew it was a risk that I was taking to continue responding to disasters from coast to coast, but I was confident that I could replenish my bank accounts this 2008 Hurricane season.

Then Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast. I had three contracts offered to me and everything was going as planned.

But even the best plans get thwarted by the unforeseen. I got injured. A large piece of glass fell on my foot and severed my tendons and nerves requiring a very invasive surgery to repair the damage, and the doctor said I would not be able to walk for 2-3 months.

Keep reading

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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Phymean Noun offers children who work in Phnom Penh's trash dump a way out through free schooling and job training.

Phymean Noun | MY STORY

Thank you very much! I am thrilled and I cant believe that I have been selected as one of CNN’s Top Heroes of 2008. I am happy to share my feelings with you and to the world.

When I first found out that I was one of CNN’s Top Heroes of 2008, I could not believe it. I was so excited. I couldn’t sleep… I would keep waking up and would think about my mother who inspired me and taught me. I wished that I could share this big news with her.

My tears came out…. and then I can’t stop thinking about children in Cambodia and what all this means to them and their future, also thinking about my trip to LA, what will I say for my speech, what are people going to ask me, who I am going to meet on that day and of course what I am going to wear?

Keep reading

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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Maria Ruiz of Texas regularly crosses the border into Mexico with food, clothing and toys for impoverished families.

Maria Ruiz| MY STORY

When I got the call I was barely getting home.

As I walked into my bedroom, he told me the great news. I was shocked, surprised, excited!

My feelings, emotions, and heart were going 100 miles per hour all at the same time!

As I talked on the phone tears ran down my cheeks. I thanked God. It was unexpected to hear such awesome news.. I couldn’t believe it!

I think I am still under shock and I think it still hasn’t sunk in yet!

Thank you for all you have done. May God bless you abundantly.

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Want to do something? IMPACT YOUR WORLD

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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Anne Mahlum used to run by homeless men each day. Now, she's running with them in an effort to get them back on their feet.

Anne Mahlum | MY STORY

I’m so very honored to be included among the top heroes. But, this award isn’t a solo mission. Soooo many people have contributed to building Back on My Feet.

So when I got the call, I was sitting at home on my couch working. When I was told that I was chosen as a top hero, I was in awe.

I’m not a hero – I’m just following my heart and doing what feels right, which is what I think we’re all trying to do. Back on My Feet is my purpose in this world and I know I’m lucky to have found it at a young age.

I am certain, with all my heart , that I was put here to help people discover themselves by pushing themselves further than they thought possible. I want to inspire people to do something extraordinary with the fire that lives inside them.

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Want to do something? IMPACT YOUR WORLD

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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Viola Vaughn | MY STORY

How I found out: I got the call while the girls and I were were reviewing what we had accomplished at Democracy Camp this past summer.

I was very surprised, happy, elated. This week we are getting the girls ready for school, that begins on October 13.

We have a sewing order for 3,025 school bags. We are editing the home video we made of the camp, and we are sending out our annual newsletter. The girls are coming back from vacation, our volunteer staff is returning and the grandkids are weaning the plants, and trimming the trees at our school.

All these wonderful persons… I’m about to burst.

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Want to do something? IMPACT YOUR WORLD

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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Liz McCartney is dedicated to helping Hurricane Katrina survivors in St. Bernard Parish, a community outside New Orleans.

Liz McCartney | MY STORY

I am honored and humbled to be recognized as one of CNN’s top ten heroes of the year. Initially, I was shocked and, honestly, I still am! I meet so many amazingly caring and hard working people every day that it feels awkward to be distinguished. So, I view this award as a tribute to Zack Rosenburg and the entire SBP team (staff, volunteers, donors and clients) who have all come together to rebuild 145+ families’ home in St. Bernard Parish.

They demonstrate one of the major lessons that I’ve discovered since founding the St. Bernard Project: when our fellow Americans (and Canadians) know the truth, they want to help. We know this is true because we have had over 8,000 volunteers and raised nearly $4M in the past two years. When people know that our clients are good people, that the problems are solvable and that the solution is readily available, they want to help!

Keep reading

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.

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