Watch the stars come out as CNN honors its Top 10 Heroes
By CNN's Kathleen Toner, Laura Klairmont, Christie O'Reilly, Allie Torgan, Marissa Calhoun and Hal German.
Updated
5:33 PM EDT, Mon March 21, 2016
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Lorenzo Bevilaqua/CNN
The premiere broadcast was shown live on the big screen at Times Square in New York City, on Sunday, Dec. 6. Click through the gallery for more photos from the event.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Academy Award nominated actress Sharon Stone -- star of TNT's new series "Agent X" -- presented an award during the ceremony, which was held at New York's American Museum of Natural History.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
CNN's Anderson Cooper -- host of the event -- enjoys a light moment with comedian Kathy Griffin.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
2015 CNN Top 10 Hero Monique Pool receives her award from presenter Neil Patrick Harris. Pool -- nicknamed "The Sloth Lady" -- was honored for her remarkable work with animals in Suriname.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
CNN Top 10 Hero Kim Carter was honored for her work aimed at stopping the cycle of homelessness among women in California.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
The Rev. Richard Joyner receives his award from Chris Noth. Joyner -- a 2015 Top 10 CNN Hero -- was recognized for founding an ambitious garden project aimed at improving the health of residents in and around his North Carolina community.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Kelly Ripa -- Emmy-winning co-host of TV's "LIve with Kelly and Michael" -- was among the presenters at the 2015 CNN Heroes award ceremony.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Popular YouTube fashion vlogger Bethany Mota graced the stage to present one of the event's Young Wonder awards.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Cooper introduces CNN 2015 Young Wonder Isaiah Granet. When he was just 14 years old, Granet organized, raised funds, coached and enlisted volunteers to create a hockey team for special needs children in San Diego, California.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
Recording artist Andra Day performed her inspiring anthem "Rise Up" during the ceremony. She also participated in the #MyHeroIn4Words CNN Heroes social media campaign.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Molly Tavoletti/CNN
Host Anderson Cooper with a sloth named Snooki, an animal ambassador from the LEO Zoological Conservation Center. Snooki was there to help honor Top 10 Hero Monique Pool, who rescues, rehabilitates and releases sloths back to the rainforest in Suriname.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Cooper recognized Delaware's Imani Henry, also honored as a Young Wonder. Henry founded the 100 Men Reading program, which is aimed at enlisting positive male role models to encourage children to read.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
A Manhattan landmark, the American Museum of Natural History served as the location for the CNN Heroes award ceremony for the third year in a row.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Since 2006, the Peabody Award-winning, Emmy-nominated event has profiled more than 250 heroes and has received more than 50,000 nominations from more than 100 countries.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Months of nominations and an online vote by CNN's audience culminated with Cooper's announcement of CNN's Hero of the Year.
Photos: Inside 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute'
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for CNN
New Jersey's Maggie Doyne -- who helps women and children in Nepal -- was named CNN's 2015 Hero of the Year November 17 at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" in New York.
Story highlights
CNN and CNNgo honor everyday people changing the world.
"CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" includes celebrities, CNN's Top 10 Heroes and the Hero of the Year
Show includes singer Andra Day, Neil Patrick Harris, Taylor Schilling, Common, Sharon Stone, Chris Noth and Zachary Quinto
New YorkCNN
—
Join CNN for a star-studded celebration honoring people who’ve made a difference by daring to help others. Will their stories inspire you?
“CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” features CNN’s Hero of the Year, Maggie Doyne, sharing her story and delivering an emotional and touching acceptance speech.
Hear details about how this former babysitter from New Jersey fell in love with a country halfway around the world and used her babysitting savings to start a home and school for women and children.
With presentations and performances by some of entertainment’s brightest stars, each Hero receives $10,000. The Hero of the Year’s charity gets an additional $100,000. Held November 17 at Manhattan’s iconic American Museum of Natural History, the event is hosted by CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Neil Patrick Harris was among the presenters. As part of their award package, each Top 10 CNN Hero will also receive organizational training through the Annenberg Foundation, a global supporter of nonprofit organizations.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Singer and actress Victoria Justice presented an award to Maggie Doyne, who was later named CNN Hero of the Year.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Actor Zachary Quinto, pictured, presented an award to fellow Pittsburgh native and CNN Hero Jim Withers.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Kathy Griffin was among the show presenters.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Actor Chris Noth was among the ceremony's presenters. During the ceremony, celebrity presenters joined each Top 10 Hero on stage as they shared the personal stories about what inspired them to give back to society.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
"Orange is the New Black" star Taylor Schilling was among the presenters. Supporters of the Top 10 CNN Heroes may make direct charitable donations to their designated nonprofits by using Amazon Payments through December 31.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
Canadian actor Jacob Tremblay introduced another of the CNN "Young Wonders."
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Singer Andra Day, left, and actress Sharon Stone meet on the red carpet. Day performed her inspiring anthem "Rise Up" during the show. Since 2007, CNN's Peabody Award-winning, Emmy-nominated franchise has profiled more than 250 Heroes and received more than 50,000 nominations from more than 100 countries.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
PHOTO:
Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Video blogger Bethany Mota introduced one of the three "Young Wonders" honored at the event.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
Stand-up comic W. Kamau Bell performed at the event. He is the host of the upcoming CNN series "United Shades of America."
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Anderson Cooper hosted "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" at New York's American Museum of Natural History on Tuesday, November 17. Click through the gallery to see CNN Heroes, guests and celebrities who attended the event.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Monique Pool is among the Top 10 CNN Heroes. Pool has dedicated herself to helping wild animals in the South American country of Suriname. Pool has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of sloths and other mammals back to the rainforest.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
CNN anchor Ashleigh Banfield attends the "All-Star Tribute," which honored this year's Top 10 CNN Heroes.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Kim Carter is a Top 10 CNN Hero. Her nonprofit, Time For Change, provides housing, counseling and job training, as well as services to help women reunite with their children.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Kevin Mazur/Wireimage for CNN
Sunny Hostin is a CNN legal analyst
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Rochelle Ripley, a Top 10 CNN Hero, helps her Native American people. Through her nonprofit, hawkwing, she has delivered an estimated $9 million in services and goods to the Lakota people.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
CNN anchor Don Lemon was in attendance.
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Jeff Zucker, president of CNN Worldwide
Photos: "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" 2015 red carpet
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage for CNN
Maggie Doyne, who cares for and educates hundreds of children in Nepal, was named the 2015 CNN Hero of the Year.
Celebrity presenters include Neil Patrick Harris, Taylor Schilling, Common, Kelly Ripa, Kathy Griffin, Sharon Stone, Chris Noth and Zachary Quinto.
R&B and jazz singer Andra Day performs her powerful song, “Rise Up.” Also, singer and actress Victoria Justice, actor Jacob Tremblay of “Room” and YouTube vlogger Bethany Mota recognize three Young Wonders – young adults honored by CNN.
Below, in random order, find out what drives each Top 10 Hero and what sets them apart.
Undercover doctor for the homeless
For more than 20 years, Dr. Jim Withers has taken his medical practice to the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, offering free, quality health care to the homeless.
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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Krisanne Johnson for CNN
For 23 years, Dr. Jim Withers has been doing street rounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, bringing medical care to the homeless.
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
When he started in 1992, he dressed like a homeless person in order to connect with the men and women who had been excluded from his care. "I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country," Withers said.
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Withers' one-man mission has since expanded to a citywide program called Operation Safety Net that includes a mobile van, drop-in centers and a primary health clinic, all where the homeless can access medical care. The group also does home visits to people who have transitioned off the streets.
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Withers and his group have reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing. Withers met Lois -- pictured here, receiving a home visit -- when she was living on the streets.
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Medical students come from all over the country to work with Withers and Operation Safety Net. "When (students) can see a street person succeed and not just get locked in that hopeless category, their vision changes. The street classroom really ignites, or reignites, what their passion is. ... And they carry that forward."
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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Krisanne Johnson for CNN
Withers is also fostering a global "street medicine" movement through his nonprofit, the Street Medicine Institute, which supports communities in starting programs of their own. "In the way I'd like to see things, every person who is still on the streets will have medical care that comes directly to them and says, 'You matter.' "
Photos: Bringing 'street medicine' to the homeless
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KRISANNE JOHNSON for CNN
Withers: "It's something that we should take pride in when we can actually treat people the way we would want to be treated."
To win their trust, Withers used to walk the streets dressed like a homeless person — rubbing dirt in his hair and muddying up his clothes. He would search for those who needed medical attention who might be too suspicious of him otherwise. It was important for Withers to connect with people who wouldn’t seek him out. Instead, he reached out to them.
“I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street,” Withers said. “Young, old, people with mental illness, runaway kids, women (who) fled domestic violence, veterans. And they all have their own story.”
Withers’ one-man mission became a citywide program called Operation Safety Net. Since 1992, the group has reached more than 10,000 individuals and helped more than 1,200 of them transition into housing.
He also started Street Medicine Institute, a nonprofit that helps communities worldwide establish programs of their own.
01:51 - Source: CNN
Top 10 CNN Hero Dr. Jim Withers
’The Sloth Lady’
Monique Pool has dedicated herself to helping wild animals in the South American country of Suriname. Pool has rescued, rehabilitated and released hundreds of sloths and other mammals back to the rainforest.
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
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John Nowak/CNN
CNN Hero Monique Pool has been helping to rescue animals -- mostly sloths -- in her native Suriname since 2005. Click through the gallery to see more images of Pool and these fascinating animals.
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
PHOTO:
John Nowak/CNN
Pool has been recognized for her particular interest in three-toed and two-toed sloths. "I live in the middle of the city, so we are working to build a professional rehabilitation center in the forest, so we can give the animals an opportunity to practice their 'sloth skills' before they are released," she said.
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
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John Nowak/CNN
Pool's nonprofit, Green Heritage Fund Suriname, started because of a lost pet. While looking for her lost dog, she called the Animal Protection Society and learned that a baby sloth had been orphaned. Pool offered to take it in. "I didn't know anything about sloths, but I learned a lot," said Pool. She sought advice from international experts on how to care for the animals. "Now, when sloths are injured or in trouble, all the telephone calls come to us."
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
PHOTO:
John Nowak/CNN
Pool has been recognized for her particular interest in three-toed and two-toed sloths.
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
PHOTO:
John Nowak/CNN
"My biggest rescue ever was in 2012 when we heard about this plot of land that was going to be cleared," Pool said. The group rescued 200 animals, including around 160 sloths. They jokingly called it "Slothageddon -- sloth armageddon." "During that time, it was really a bit weird to live here because there were sloths everywhere: in my living room, in cages, in my garage. Dozens of volunteers were helping."
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
PHOTO:
John Nowak/CNN
Pool also takes in anteaters, armadillos and porcupines. To date, she and her volunteers have rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 600 animals back to the rainforest.
Photos: Meet the 'Sloth Lady' of Suriname
PHOTO:
John Nowak/CNN
"When I release a sloth, I feel really happy because the animal is where he belongs. That's the ultimate goal of my work," Pool said. "Wild animals belong in the wild."
It all started in 2005, when Pool’s dog went missing. During her search, she called the Animal Protection Society and learned that a baby sloth had been orphaned. Pool offered to take it in.
“I didn’t know anything about sloths, but I learned a lot,” said Pool, who sought advice from international experts on how to care for the animals.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Molly Tavoletti/CNN
Anderson Cooper, host of 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,' meets Snooki before the big show.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Allie Torgan/CNN
Anderson learns that sloths like it when you blow gently on their face. This is why we have rehearsals.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Allie Torgan/CNN
At rehearsal, everyone wanted a photo. But Snooki preferred getting ready for her close-up.
Of course, before her onstage appearance, Snooki had to make a pit stop in the makeup chair. Okay, not really.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for CNN
Host Anderson Cooper walked on stage carrying Snooki. "This is basically a dream come true," he told the audience.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Allie Torgan/CNN
For the rest of the show, Snooki hung out backstage on her own red carpet. Literally.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Gabriel Kinder/CNN
That's where Sharon Stone couldn't resist getting to know Snooki a little better.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
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Courtesy LEOzoo.org
How is this for "squad goals?" Snooki and her trainer, Marcella Leone, Founder and Director of the LEO Zoological Conservation Center, with, from left, Kathy Griffin, Kelly Ripa and Victoria Justice.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
PHOTO:
Courtesy LEOzoo.org
Grammy nominee Andra Day wowed the audience with her performance of 'Rise Up.' She was wowed while hanging out with Snooki, too.
Photos: Sloth steals the spotlight at CNN Heroes
PHOTO:
Courtesy LEOzoo.org
Neil Patrick Harris presented Top 10 CNN Hero Monique Pool with her award for her work rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sloths in Suriname. He welcomed her to the stage as "the person who proves sloth is a virtue."
Today, Pool’s nonprofit, Green Heritage Fund Suriname, helps protect sloths and implement other conservation efforts in the country. Her home serves as a temporary sanctuary for the mammals, and she is now a recognized local authority on them. Her work has earned her the nickname, “The Sloth Lady.”
01:48 - Source: CNN
Top 10 CNN Hero Monique Pool
Growing fresh produce in a ‘food desert’
In rural Conetoe, North Carolina, Richard Joyner has brought a bounty of food to what was a nutritional desert. Joyner, a local pastor, started a community garden after watching many of his parishioners die from preventable diseases. “Diabetes, high blood pressure – when we first got started, we counted 30 funerals in one year,” Joyner said.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
Top 10 CNN Hero Rev. Richard Joyner is leading his rural North Carolina community to better health by helping young people grow and distribute fresh food.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
Conetoe, North Carolina -- population 300 -- lies an hour east of Raleigh. The town is surrounded by farmland, but the nearest grocery store is 10 miles away, making it one of the country's many "food deserts."
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
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David S. Holloway/CNN
Now more than 80 young people help Joyner plan, plant and harvest nearly 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year. Much of this produce is given away to local residents.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
His nonprofit, the Conetoe Family Life Center, manages more than 20 plots of land, including one 25-acre site.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
The students also sell the food -- including their own brand of honey -- to businesses and restaurants, raising money for school supplies and scholarships.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
The children also learn how to cook the food in a nutritious way, steering their families toward better choices at home. As a result, many people are now reaping the benefits of Joyner's efforts. Emergency room visits are down, and the community as a whole is healthier.
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
Joyner started his efforts after watching many of his parishioners die from preventable diseases. "Diabetes, high blood pressure -- when we first got started, we counted 30 funerals in one year," Joyner said. "I couldn't ignore it."
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
Joyner: "Growing food calls us to work together," he said. "By nourishing plants, you're nourishing community. It's one and the same."
Photos: Growing fresh produce in a 'food desert'
PHOTO:
David S. Holloway/CNN
When Joyner first started, he did not like farming. "I didn't have a good experience with the soil growing up. My family, we were sharecroppers. ... For me, working in the garden has been a healing place."
Today, his nonprofit, the Conetoe Family Life Center, manages more than 20 plots of land, including one 25-acre site. More than 80 local young people help him plant and harvest nearly 50,000 pounds of fresh food a year. Local residents receive some food for free, and students also raise scholarship money by selling the food to restaurants and grocery stores.
The children also learn how to cook the food in a nutritious way, steering their families toward better choices at home. As a result, many people are now reaping the benefits of Joyner’s ideas. Emergency room visits are down, and the community as a whole is healthier.
01:49 - Source: CNN
Top 10 CNN Hero Richard Joyner
Babysitting money transforms entire community
A New Jersey woman who saved her babysitting money has made a difference half a world away in Surkhet, Nepal. Ten years ago Maggie Doyne decided to backpack around the world before college. But during a stop in Nepal, her life took an unexpected turn. She met women and children who were struggling to survive the aftermath of a decade-long civil war.
