For those of you who are unaware CNN is doing a special series on everyday hero's, many of which work directly with, or touch on the lives of children around the world. CNN Heroes
The series will end on Thursday, December 6, 2007, with a special live global telecast, which will air at 9pm ET / 6pm PT / 2am Dec. 7 GMT. The show will be hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper with Christiane Amanpour, and looks to honor viewer-nominated heroes, which where chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of world leaders and luminaries.
I encourage all of you to look at each weeks nominees in one of the six categories, which include: Defending the Planet, Medical Marvel, Fighting for Justice, Community Crusader, Championing Children, Young Wonder.
Have your children go on and look at the Young Wonder category, and see the amazing work these five kids have done to impact our world for the better. Seeing what a child can do, leaves most of us adults with little recourse to say the old adage, “what can I do, I’m only one person.” These five “wonders” include: Zach Hunter, 15 whose campaign, Loose Change to Loosen Chains, has raised more than $20,000 to help free slaves around the world. Ryan Hreljac, 16, who created Ryan's Well Foundation which has built 266 wells in 12 developing countries, bringing clean water to more than 435,000 people. Savannah Walters, 14, who started “Pump ‘Em Up,” a non-profit organization that has distributed 10,000 tire gauges to convince motorist to waste less gas by simply keeping their tires inflated properly. Ana Dodson, 15, who started Peruvian Hearts, raising nearly $40,000 for orphans. Pat Pedraja, 12, a leukemia patient, traveled the country to encourage minorities to register and donate much needed bone marrow.
I do apologize for announcing this after voting has culminated for the first two categories. The current set of hero's, Fighting for Justice, has 5 everyday heroes who are working against human trafficking, and as many of you know this is a cause which has embattled, and enslaved millions of children.
