Hendley as a hero
By Melanie Marshall

A Boone man will be featured on this week’s edition of CNN’s Heroes.

Doc Hendley, founder and president of Wine to Water was nominated and has been selected to appear as a Community Crusader.

Wine to Water is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing clean water to the over 1 billion people in the world without it.

The organization began in 2004 and has since worked to provide water and sanitation in many countries including Sudan, India, Cambodia, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Haiti.

“Wine symbolizes fortune in our society,” according to the organization’s website.

“Our goal is to give the fortunate population an opportunity to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.”

One of the many ways Wine to Water raises awareness for the global water crisis is to hold wine tasting and benefit events, with all of the proceeds to go toward providing clean water. Hendley and other volunteers travel to regions around the world to help build wells and maintenance of those wells to provide a sustainable source of clean water.

Hendley will be honored on CNN’s Heroes to air first on Friday in the 8 to 9 a.m. American Morning hour.

He was also interviewed on the Larry King Live program beginning at 9 p.m. on Thursday evening. Check local listings to find follow-up airings of the program.

Hendley’s profile and video segment will be available on line for viewing at www.cnn.com/hereos for one week beginning Friday morning.  You can also visit http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/30/heroes.doc.hendley/index.html?iref=mpstoryview