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CNN Heroes Honors Hendley, Wine to Water Dec. 15

by Madison V. Fisler 

Dec. 9, 2013. Millions of people die each year as a result of the absence of clean drinking water and proper sanitation facilities, while the most vulnerable population are kids under the age of 5.

This issue touched the heart of 2009 CNN Hero Doc Hendley, who makes it his mission to save lives by providing clean water to more than 250,000 people in developing nations around the world. 

imgresWine to Water became an official nonprofit organization in 2007 after years of hard work, and is still going strong after the first fundraiser in 2003.

Based locally in Boone, Wine to Water relies on fundraisers to reach as many people in need as possible. The foundation has worked in places like Sudan, Uganda, India, Cambodia, Peru, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Haiti. 

On Dec. 15, CNN will present a special, hour-long presentation on Wine to Water with “Wine to Water: A CNN Heroes Special Presentation” airing at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. The special will also air on CNN International and CNN en Espanol. 

From a press release:

CNN Hero Doc Hendley travels from a refugee camp in Bundibugyo, Uganda to a small, impoverished village of La Milagrosa, Columbia, to help save the lives of children and their families in “Wine to Water.” Inspired by the horrors of the genocide in Darfur region of Sudan, Hendley uses his bartending skills to fundraise and help those in need, when not at home with his family in Boone.

Working hand-in-hand with local communities, his efforts bring clean drinking water and sustainable water systems to people in 16 countries, many of whom would normally drink from swamps, ditches or standing water sources if available. 

For more information on Wine to Water, visit their website here