A Waiting Game for A local hero

Editor's Note: Although The Mountain Times is a Thursday publication, copies are usually available on area newsstands by Wednesday evenings so early readers are encouraged to vote early and often for Doc Hendley as CNN's Hero of the Year before 6 a.m. Thursday.

It's almost all over except the counting - and waiting.

Residents of the High Country and North Carolina have rallied around Doc Hendley, the founder of Wine to Water, in his nomination as CNN Hero of the Year.

Students of Appalachian State University and North Carolina State University in Raleigh have held rallies to show support and encourage online votes.

"I have been amazed at the response from fellow North Carolinians and even more amazed at our local support," Hendley said.

Hendley was first featured on CNN Heroes in May as a community hero, one of 28 heroes featured on the program between February and September. The CNN series received more than 9,000 submissions from 100 countries. He was then nominated as one of the top 10.

Voting for CNN Hero of the Year took place online at http://www.cnn.com/heroes, and was scheduled to close at 6 a.m. Thursday. Until closing, there is no limit to the number of votes a person can cast.

Hendley offered his thanks to Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson and the Watauga High School DECA club for traveling to the Raleigh Rally, and his wife and the High Country Dance Studio for the hours they have spent voting and helping raise support.

"High Country residents have rallied together to support our efforts in ways I would never expect. I am so honored to call this my community and to call Boone home," he said.

CNN Hero of the Year will be announced during a special broadcast hosted by Anderson Cooper on CNN at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 26.

The winner will receive $100,000 to help fund their continued efforts.

Hendley started Wine to Water, a non-profit based in Boone, in 2004. The organization is dedicated to providing clean water to those without across the world. To date, the organization has provided clean water to approximately 25,000 people in refugee camps, orphanages, schools, hospitals and a leper colony, as well as directly into hundreds of homes through the installation of bio-sand filters in Sudan, India, Ethiopia, Uganda and Cambodia.

CNN Announces Hero of the Year
Thursday, Nov. 26 at 9 p.m.
CNN, Channel 40 on Charter Cable