They converted a vehicle into a wash station for homeless veterans, provided books for kids waiting at the barbershop, and turned a passion for diving into a movement to save coral reefs.
The causes they support vary as much as their backgrounds, but they have all dedicated their lives to changing the world.
And now, they have more in common: They're this year's Top 10 CNN Heroes.
They were all nominated by you — our audience — and selected by CNN to each receive a $10,000 prize. And next week, one of them is set to become the CNN Hero of the Year, receiving an additional $100,000 and more for his or her cause.
The big reveal will happen live during "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," which airs at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10, and will be hosted by Anderson Cooper and Laura Coates.
Ahead of the show, we caught up with executive producer Mark Doctrow to learn how it all comes together.
Tell us what you and your team do.
We shine a light on everyday people making a difference in their communities, here in the US and around the world.
While everything culminates with our annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," we're actually working year-round, sifting through thousands of viewer nominations, researching and vetting the strongest of them. We produce segments through most of the year focusing on new heroes, as well as updates on past heroes and how they've grown. Where possible, when there's big breaking news, we salute heroes on the ground in the middle of various crises and natural disasters.
The main Heroes stories that make it through our extensive vetting process are then narrowed down to a Top 10, with the help of a CNN editorial board. Then, public voting for the Hero of the Year kicks off. Only then can we turn our full attention to producing the big event. With help from Special Events and Sales, Marketing, and many other departments throughout the company, our small team creates the big annual event honoring the Top 10, a few Young Wonders, and other special guests throughout the night.
How can someone nominate a CNN Hero?
Every year on show night, the official nomination form opens up at CNNHeroes.com, and nominations remain open through July of the following year. People don't have to know the person they are nominating, but they do need to share whatever they can to let us know why they think that person or their organization deserves this attention. Of course, the better the nomination — the more details, the more interesting information — the better chances a story has. Because of the prizing involved, Warner Bros. Discovery employees are not allowed to nominate, but they can certainly encourage others to do so.
What are some characteristics that make successful nominees stand out?
Many factors are considered when reviewing nominations. We look at impact, we look at the uniqueness of the work and/or the problems they are tackling. We consider how replicable the work is. How well they manage their finances. How solid their long-term plans are. We consider diversity — of people, locations, causes. Sometimes it's an incredible personality that catches our attention, or they've made such a significant impact they can't be ignored.
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