CNN Gives $100,000 to Unsung Heroes

    A woman who moved to Louisiana to help Hurricane
Katrina survivors, a man who greets U.S. soldiers and several
community organizers will be honored by Atlanta-based CNN in its
second Thanksgiving night “heroes” special.

    The awards show, unusual for a TV news network, will give
$100,000 to one of 10 individuals selected by viewers through a
vote on the CNN Web site.

    Jim Walton, president of CNN Worldwide, says the special is an
attempt to honor people who may not make the news, but are doing
things to help others.

    A panel that included Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra,
Richard Branson, Magic Johnson and George Lopez selected the 10
finalists.

    CNN’s nominees this year include Liz McCartney, who moved from
Washington to St. Bernard Parish east of New Orleans to help
Hurricane Katrina victims rebuild and Walt Peters, a retired
Vietnam veteran from Savannah, Ga., who greets and gives flags to
soldiers returning from or leaving for overseas duties.