CNN, the worldwide leader in news, today announced the Top 10 CNN Heroes for 2011, recognizing everyday people who are changing the world. The network also announced that online voting for the "CNN Hero of the Year" opened Thursday, September 22, 2011, at 8:00 AM ET, and will run through Wednesday, December 7, 2011, at Midnight PT.
Each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes will receive a $50,000 grant and one of the honorees, as voted by fans across the globe, will be named the "CNN Hero of the Year", receiving an additional $250,000 grant to further aid their cause. During the live broadcast, the Top 10 CNN Heroes will each have their story told by a celebrity.
Amy Stokes (Yonkers, NY) - In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 15 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. New York resident Amy Stokes decided to bring the effect of caring adults living elsewhere into the lives of South African children. She started Infinite Family in 2006, using the internet to connect hundreds of teen 'Net Buddies' with adult mentor volunteers from around the world.
Pairs meet face-to-face via the internet, and the children learn survival, language and computer skills that help prepare them for their future in a global marketplace. for more information on Amy's cause, log onto www.infinitefamily.org.
Previous CNN Heroes have gained global recognition and earned increased support, allowing them to make an even greater difference. For example, last year's "Hero of the Year", Anuradha Koirala, was honored by actress Demi Moore.
Moore's organization, the DNA Foundation, later partnered with the CNN Freedom Project for a documentary on Koirala's project "Maiti Nepal", which detats to end human trafficking. The DNA Foundation will also fund future Maiti Nepal prevention efforts.
CNN's 2009 "Hero of the Year", Efren Peñaflorida, saw his pushcart classroom model replicated more than 50 times by different organizations and institutions across the Philippines. He can also be seen hosting his own search for heroes on the Philippine television show "Ako Mismo" ("I Myself"), which features people working in the Philippines to better the lives of others.
The honorees for 2011 are available to view at www.cnnheroes.com.
Each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes will receive a $50,000 grant and one of the honorees, as voted by fans across the globe, will be named the "CNN Hero of the Year", receiving an additional $250,000 grant to further aid their cause. During the live broadcast, the Top 10 CNN Heroes will each have their story told by a celebrity.
Amy Stokes (Yonkers, NY) - In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 15 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. New York resident Amy Stokes decided to bring the effect of caring adults living elsewhere into the lives of South African children. She started Infinite Family in 2006, using the internet to connect hundreds of teen 'Net Buddies' with adult mentor volunteers from around the world.
Pairs meet face-to-face via the internet, and the children learn survival, language and computer skills that help prepare them for their future in a global marketplace. for more information on Amy's cause, log onto www.infinitefamily.org.
Previous CNN Heroes have gained global recognition and earned increased support, allowing them to make an even greater difference. For example, last year's "Hero of the Year", Anuradha Koirala, was honored by actress Demi Moore.
Moore's organization, the DNA Foundation, later partnered with the CNN Freedom Project for a documentary on Koirala's project "Maiti Nepal", which detats to end human trafficking. The DNA Foundation will also fund future Maiti Nepal prevention efforts.
CNN's 2009 "Hero of the Year", Efren Peñaflorida, saw his pushcart classroom model replicated more than 50 times by different organizations and institutions across the Philippines. He can also be seen hosting his own search for heroes on the Philippine television show "Ako Mismo" ("I Myself"), which features people working in the Philippines to better the lives of others.
The honorees for 2011 are available to view at www.cnnheroes.com.
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