Liz McCartney Honored as CNN's "Hero of the Year"

Ten CNN Heroes and Six People Magazine's Heroes Among Us Honored

Liz McCartney of the St. Bernard Project is CNN's "Hero of the Year" for 2008. At a star-studded gala event at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, CNN gave out their annual award for selfless charitable works.

Sometimes shows are simply inspirational. "CNN Heroes" is an award show that is the epitome of motivational inspiration. CNN honored its ten "heroes" of 2008, people who were nominated by the general public, on Thanksgiving night, November 27. Anderson Cooper hosted the annual event which held its first installment in 2007.

"Our Top 10 CNN Heroes are proof that you don't need superpowers -- or millions of dollars -- to change the world and even save lives," Anderson Cooper announced when he revealed the names of the ten finalists for "Hero of the Year" on October 9.

Hollywood's finest, all affiliated with charitable works themselves, presented the ten CNN Heroes. All finalists were recipients of $25,000 to further their particular charitable enterprises. The winner of "Hero of the Year" received $100,000 and was chosen by internet vote.

This year's winner received the most votes of over one million votes cast.

Kate Beckinsale presented the first CNN Hero. Viola Vaughn, a Detroit native, moved to Senegal to retire. Instead, Vaughn set up the "10,000 Girls" program where she has helped hundreds of young girls and women to succeed in school and in business. She said she had dreamed of simply retiring to a beach but she would not change was she does. She loves her work, she says.

Terence Howard told the story of Liz McCartney. McCartney left a lucrative career in Washington, D.C., to help families rebuild their lives in the devastated St. Bernard Parish in Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. She began the St. Bernard Project in 2006. To date, she has helped put 154 families back into their homes in St. Bernard Parish. Over 9000 people have volunteered to help the St. Bernard Project.