CNN Heroes Awards Show is Brilliant

Awards shows are usually unimportant extravaganzas designed to make frail artistic egos a bit happier while showing off couture none can afford. However, CNN has put together an awards show that is truly awesome in the original sense of the word, inspiring awe. Its “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” celebrates people who are, to put it bluntly, better than the rest of mankind.

Yes, there were some songs. Alicia Keys sang "Superwoman," her tribute to women around the world, from her album "As I Am." Christina Aguilera performed her single "Beautiful." The most talented pianist since Stevie Wonder, John Legend, backed by the world-renowned Agape Choir, performed "If You're Out There," from his brand new album, "Evolver." But none of the songs were about the singers. They were chosen because they talked of giving to others.

The Hollywood crew turned up, not to celebrate themselves for once but to celebrate others. Cameron Diaz, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski, Forest Whitaker, Meg Ryan, Terrence Howard, Lucy Liu, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez all showed up for the show.

The winner of the title Hero of 2008 was Liz McCartney who is dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes. The other 9 heroes cannot be counted as losers by any stretch of the imagination. CNN reported

Tad Agoglia, Houston, Texas: Agoglia's First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters. In a little more than a year, he and his crew have helped thousands of victims at more than 15 sites across the United States, free of charge.

Yohannes Gebregeorgis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Moved by the lack of children's books and literacy in his native Ethiopia, Gebregeorgis established Ethiopia Reads, bringing free public libraries and literacy programs to thousands of Ethiopian children.

Carolyn LeCroy, Norfolk, Virginia: After serving time in prison, LeCroy started the Messages Project to help children stay connected with their incarcerated parents. She and volunteer camera crews have taped roughly 3,000 messages from inmates to their children.

Anne Mahlum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: On her daily morning jogs, Mahlum used to run past homeless men. Today, she's helping to transform lives by running with them, and others as part of her Back On My Feet program.

Liz McCartney, St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana: McCartney moved to New Orleans to dedicate herself to helping Hurricane Katrina survivors move back into their homes. Her nonprofit, St. Bernard Project, has rebuilt the homes of more than 120 families for free.

Phymean Noun, Toronto, Ontario: Growing up in Cambodia, Noun struggled to complete high school. Today, she offers hundreds of Cambodian children who work in Phnom Penh's trash dump a way out through free schooling and job training.

David Puckett, Savannah, Georgia: Puckett started PIPO Missions to bring ongoing prosthetic and orthotic care to those in need. Since November 2000, he has helped more than 420 people in southeastern Mexico, free of charge.

Maria Ruiz, El Paso, Texas: Several times a week, Ruiz crosses the border into Juarez, Mexico, bringing food, clothing and toys to hundreds of impoverished children and their families.

Marie Da Silva, Los Angeles, California: Having lost 14 family members to AIDS, the nanny funds a school in her native Malawi, where half a million children have been orphaned by the disease.

Viola Vaughn, Kaolack, Senegal: The Detroit, Michigan, native moved to Senegal to retire. Instead, a group of failing schoolchildren asked her to help them pass their classes. Today, her 10,000 Girls program is helping hundreds of girls succeed in school and run their own businesses.