(CNN) -- For Liz McCartney, selection as one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 could not have come at a better time.



Anderson Cooper will host "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," to air on Thanksgiving at 9 p.m. ET.



"With the recent storms in Texas and southwest Louisiana, we have experienced a sudden drop in volunteers," said McCartney, whose St. Bernard Project helps Hurricane Katrina survivors rebuild their homes just outside New Orleans, Louisiana.



"While other areas need help, this recognition is letting the American people know that the New Orleans area still matters," McCartney said.



The diverse group of honorees includes a Cambodian activist who offers free schooling to children who work in Phnom Penh's trash dump; a Georgia prosthetist-orthotist who provides limbs and braces to hundreds of people in Mexico; and a Virginia woman who tapes video messages from incarcerated parents for their children.



CNN's Anderson Cooper announced the 10 honorees Thursday on "American Morning."



"Our Top 10 CNN Heroes are proof that you don't need superpowers -- or millions of dollars -- to change the world and even save lives," Cooper said.  Watch Anderson Cooper name the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 »



CNN launched its second annual global search for ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary deeds in February. The network has aired weekly CNN Hero profiles of those people, chosen from more than 3,700 nominations submitted by viewers in 75 countries.



A panel made up of world leaders and luminaries recognized for their own dedication to public service selected the Top 10. The Blue Ribbon Panel includes humanitarians such as Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Kristi Yamaguchi and Deepak Chopra.



"What an incredible group of people and how difficult it was to select only 10," said Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, a panel member.



Archbishop Tutu added, "They all deserve to win. Thanks for saluting these remarkable human beings."



Each of this year's Top 10 CNN Heroes will receive $25,000 and will be honored at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," airing from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on November 27.



Hosted by Cooper, the Thanksgiving night broadcast will culminate with the announcement of the CNN Hero of the Year, selected by the public in an online poll that began Thursday morning. iReport.com: Tell us about your hero



Continuing through November 19, viewers can log on to CNN.com/Heroes to participate in the poll. The person receiving the most votes will receive an additional $100,000.



In alphabetical order, the Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 are:



Tad Agoglia, Houston, Texas --  Agoglia's First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters. In a little over a year, he and his crew have aided 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 low literacy rates 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
When will the event air? Who will host the event? What is the name of the host? WHat is the name of the poll? who will host "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"? Vote for Hero of the year at what website? who will select  "Hero of the Year"?
Thanksgiving at 9 p.m. ET. Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper CNN Hero of the Year, Anderson Cooper CNN.com/Heroes Blue Ribbon Panel
question: When will the event air?, answer: Thanksgiving at 9 p.m. ET. | question: Who will host the event?, answer: Anderson Cooper | question: What is the name of the host?, answer: Anderson Cooper | question: WHat is the name of the poll?, answer: CNN Hero of the Year, | question: who will host "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute"?, answer: Anderson Cooper | question: Vote for Hero of the year at what website?, answer: CNN.com/Heroes | question: who will select  "Hero of the Year"?, answer: Blue Ribbon Panel