CNN Hero Awards - Last Day of Voting

1. An election where you have ten votes - sooo good!

   https://www.cnn.com/world/heroes/vote

   There are 5 Hero Finalists that I am considering for my 10 votes.  I might split it up and give 2 extremely heroic individuals and their non - profits 5 votes each.

   1. This former crime reporter uses writing to help people in prison transform their lives with the Indiana Prison Writers Workshop

   2. The ‘GrubHub’ for LA’s hungry: Bringing the film industry’s excess food to people in need - Every Day Action

   3. First responders endure high levels of stress. These dogs can lighten the load - First Responder Therapy Dogs

   4. A lifeline for 10,000 forgotten and abused animals: How his team mobilizes for large-scale rescues - Animal Rescue Corps

   5. Flowers bring beauty, life and opportunity to one Chicago neighborhood - Southside Blooms

Have you felt that creeping misanthropic curve of emotion lately? That feeling where the world seems a little too heavy, and the urge to do good, the pang of charity work that once grounded you, seems to have quietly vaporized?

If so, you are not alone. In the relentless cycle of daily stress and negative news, it's easy for our well-being to take a hit and our philanthropic spirit to wane.

But to be truly, holistically healthy, we need more than just diet and exercise—we need powerful emotional archetypes that inspire us. We need to witness the good in action.

The Philanthropic Jolt You Need: CNN Hero Awards

The antidote to emotional fatigue often lies in witnessing profound, everyday goodness. That's why the CNN Hero Awards are so essential to our national pathos and our individual wellness journey.

This annual celebration shines a spotlight on everyday good-doers and their deeply moving humanitarian work. Reading about these individuals and their glorious devotion to strengthening their communities can deliver a strong, powerful jolt of philanthropy and renewed hope.

These aren't distant, unreachable figures. The CNN Heroes range from non-profit warriors who are masters at raising money for local causes to even children who are showing up for their classes and towns with incredible dedication. Their stories remind us that true impact starts right where we are.

Take It to the Next Level: 5 Good Things

If you're looking for an even more regular dose of this invigorating energy, consider tuning into the CNN podcast, "5 Good Things."

This daily dose of positivity catapults stories about relatable, folksy victories and serves as a powerful stress management tool. Imagine my surprise (and delight!) when I discovered this podcast has a yearly culmination: an annual competition celebrating the top heroes of the year.

Regularly consuming these stories can fundamentally shift your mindset, helping you replace feelings of weariness with genuine inspiration. They are a powerful reminder that goodness is not just surviving—it's thriving.

This year's roster of hero nominees include a charity bringing therapy dogs to first responders, a tried and true method for reducing cortisol levels for those risking it all to save us, a los angeles based food non profit rerouting extra food from film and tv sets to unhoused persons and so many more.  I collected them in a photo collage below so you can get a feel for what you might want to vote for!