CNN Press Release: “Donate Now” Tab on the CNN Heroes Facebook Page Allows People to Contribute to CNN Heroes’ Charities

In advance of the global broadcast premiere of 2010’s CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute on Thanksgiving, November 25, at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT, CNN and Facebook have teamed to enable people around the world to donate to this year’s Top 10 CNN Heroes and their causes.

“For the first time ever, CNN’s global audience and people on Facebook are able to directly support the CNN Heroes who are making huge differences all over the world,” said Kay Madati, vice president of audience experience for CNN Worldwide. “It is our sincere hope that extending our tribute through Facebook is both fitting and meaningful for the Top 10 Heroes, as well as those who are impacted by their tireless work each and every day.”

From now through the end of the year, Facebook users can support the work of the individuals named among the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010 by clicking the “Donate Now” tab on the CNN Heroes Facebook page. People on Facebook also can access the CNN Heroes donation module on the CNN and AC360 Pages. After making a donation, they can watch an exclusive thank-you video from the host of CNN Heroes, CNN’s Anderson Cooper, as well as share information about the initiative and their donation with friends on Facebook.

This aspect of CNN Heroes kicked off during the event’s taping in the “Social Suite,” where celebrity attendees gathered to share their passion for social good via social media. Hosted by Blue Ribbon Panelist Holly Robinson Peete, the Social Suite featured presenters and performers LL Cool J, Common and Sugarland, and highlighted social media updates from other celebrities in attendance including Demi Moore, John Legend and Jessica Alba.

These online donations are powered by Facebook’s virtual currency, Facebook Credits, and Facebook is waiving its processing fees as part of the program. CNN Heroes is among the first large-scale charity efforts involving Facebook Credits, an easy and convenient way for people to buy virtual and digital goods in more than 200 popular games and applications on Facebook. The Facebook Credits application used to manage the donation process was co-developed with Facebook’s partner Livestream, a technology company that specializes in live video for the web, mobile devices, and connected TVs.

The CNN Heroes gala is the only show of its kind - bringing out Hollywood's brightest stars to honor everyday people changing the world. Now in its fourth year, CNN Heroes is a multiplatform campaign that shines a spotlight on individuals who go to extraordinary lengths to serve others; in 2010, the campaign received over 10,000 submissions from more than 100 countries. The Top 10 CNN Heroes were selected by an esteemed Blue Ribbon Panel, which included Muhammad Ali, Sir Richard Branson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and Ricky Martin among other humanitarians.

More information, including video of the Top 10 CNN Heroes, links to their organizations, and highlights from previous CNN Heroes programming can be found at http://www.cnnheroes.com/ and www.facebook.com/CNNHeroes.