CNN Hunts For Humanitarian Heroes

Anderson Cooper will host the “CNN Heroes – An All-Star Tribute” event this weekend to find ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary deeds.

CNN launched its search for the most outstanding humanitarian in February, and has been showing weekly profiles of the finalists chosen from over 3,700 nominations from 75 countries. The Top 10 finalists have been chosen by philanthropic leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Magic Johnson, George Lopez, and Queen Rania Al Abdullah.

The Top 10 finalists for 2008 are:

• Tad Agoglia, whose First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters.

• Yohannes Gebregeorgis, who established Ethiopia Reads, bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children.

• Carolyn LeCroy, who started The Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents.

• Anne Mahlum, who set up a program to transform the lives of homeless people by running with them.

• Liz McCartney, whose St. Bernard Project has rebuilt the homes of more than 120 families affected by Hurricane Katrina for free.

• Phymean Noun, who offers hundreds of Cambodian children who work in Phnom Penh’s trash dump a way out — through free schooling and job training.

• David Puckett, who provides artificial limbs and braces and care to people in southeastern Mexico.

• Maria Ruiz, who crosses the border into Juarez, Mexico, every week to bring food, clothing and toys to hundreds of impoverished children and their families.

• Marie Da Silva, who funds a school in her native Malawi.

• Viola Vaughn, whose “10,000 Girls” program is helping hundreds of girls succeed in school and run their own businesses.

The final winner will be selected by public vote.

“They all deserve to win,” said Desmond Tutu. “Thanks for saluting these remarkable human beings.”

Voting takes place until November 19 at www.cnn.com/heroes. The awards ceremony will be filmed this weekend, November 22, and will be aired on CNN on November 27.