CNN is hosting a celebratory rally in Raleigh tomorrow at noon for Doc Hendley, who has been named one of the network's Top 10 Heroes of the year. (Read N&O profile of Hendley here).
The 30-year-old Blowing Rock bartender, who works to bring clean drinking water to people in need, was chosen from over 9,000 entries by a panel which included notables such as Gen. Colin Powell, Sir Elton John, and Ted Turner.
Hendley is eligible to win the #1 "Hero of the Year" spot through voting going on now. Hendley has already been awarded $25,000 and could win $100,000 if he's chosen as "Hero of the Year." You can vote until November 18. The winner will be announced on November 26.
The rally will take place Thursday at noon in the Brickyard on NC State's campus (just behind DH Hill Library on Hillsborough Street).
CNN Heroes recognizes Hendley for his work providing clean water to communities all over the world. According to CNN, Hendley's nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries through funds raised at wine-tasting events.
Hendley came up with the idea while attending NCSU (and tending bar and playing music) in Raleigh back in 2003. He held his first fundraiser in January of 2004 and by August of the same year, he was in Darfur installing water systems for communities ravaged by government sponsored genocide. Wine to Water became an official non-profit in 2007. Hendley says he fights the water problem the best way he knows how: "by pouring wine and playing music."
The winner of CNN's Hero of the Year will be announced on Thanksgiving night (November 26) during the "CNN Heroes: All Star Tribute Show" from Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California.
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Comments
There are many types of heroes
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 11:23 — brookecain (author)I have to admit I'm surprised by the amount of negativity over an article about a local person who is being honored for doing charity work.
For the record...
-One definition of the word "hero" is someone who fights for a cause, so I think the term is appropriately used here.
-There are many types of heroes.
-Also, the article above never solicited votes for Hendley, it simply provided a link so that anyone who wants to vote can do so. The link takes you to the full list of all candidates. I choose not to denigrate someone based on their profession (a perfectly legal profession, I might add). I personally don't think there's anything wrong with being a bartender (or anyone in the service industry), especially when that bartender is trying in his own small way to help people.
I know it's the internet and we're all emboldened by the cloak of anonymity, but let's try to be civil. For the record, I'm an NCSU grad and I'm proud of Hendley (and proud that my tax dollars helped send him to school there). I don't know many people who voluntarily go off to Darfur to install water systems for victims of genocide. But that's just me.
Wine to Water
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 21:11 — JohnlawretI'm very proud to find someone with ties to NCSU who thinks of someone else instead of just lining their own pockets and playing footsies with the Politicans. This is refreashing considering all the trash that's been tied to State recently. Good luck Doc!
Gee, a Hero for Drinking
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 18:49 — mike27513Hendley came up with the idea while attending NCSU (and tending bar and playing music) in Raleigh back in 2003. Hendley's nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries through funds raised at wine-tasting events.
Gee, water for 25,000 people, maybe five wells for five towns .Not that many wells or people.
Glad to see his NCSU education came in handy tending bar and playing music. I'm sure glad as a NC taxpayer I got to fund some of his drinking at the "university".
Your NC tax money at work.
Perhaps the word HERO is not appropriate
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 17:59 — mmerc20I find it quite unfortunate that the news observer is basically soliciting votes for this so called "hero" just because of his ties to North Carolina. Not his acomplishments. Yes CNN is the ones throwing the "rally" but come on now... if you are going to stoop this low, at least pretend to care about the other nominees and showcase what they have done as well. This award means nothing. Plain and simple. It's just about money.
I also find it sad that the we have diminished the meaning of the word "hero" and carelessly throw the word around. People often refer to sports figures, musicians and even celebrities as "heroes" and that couldn't be further from the truth. While I do not dispute that what these nominees have done for the world is admirable and they deserve recognition for their selfless acts, to call them "heroes" is just not appropriate.
Perhaps before voting, everyone needs to spend a hour or so reading the citations for the individuals listed on this site: http://www.cmohs.org/ and when finished, ask yourself again what a true hero is.
Mike
(From Durham, In Iraq)