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Welcome to the early summer installment of CNN Heroes! Do you know a "Young Wonder" - someone 25 or under who is changing people's lives in a big way? Or how about someone who's doing something remarkable to protect the environment? It's not too late to nominate them as a CNN Hero! Click the link below to tell us about them. So far we've received more than 4,500 nominations! But don't delay - nominations close August 1. Our Facebook community is growing! In its first three weeks, more than 1,000 Facebook members have joined the CNN Heroes fan page - and they're getting a first-look at never-before-seen highlights of this year's Heroes. Read on to find out how you can join in our Facebook fun! Also in this month's newsletter: meet three new CNN Heroes, including one whom locals have called "crazy." Find out how she earned her nickname, go behind-the-scenes of a Heroes' shoot in North Carolina, and see which 2008 CNN Hero recently earned a state award for her efforts. Wanna be inspired? Read on! CNN Heroes 2009 Join our Facebook community DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO SHOULD BE A CNN HERO? View 2009 Heroes Suzan Lakhan Baptiste DEFENDING THE PLANET Suzan Lakhan Baptiste's dedication to ending the slaughter of leatherbacks in her community was so fierce, locals called her "Crazy Turtle Woman." see full story Shin Fujiyama YOUNG WONDER As a college student, Shin Fujiyama transformed his days into a life-changing experience - rallying thousands of young people to help fight poverty, one campus at a time. see full story Pam Koner COMMUNITY CRUSADER A photograph in the New York Times moved Pam Koner to tears - and to action. Now, in her fight against hunger, she's redefining what it means to be a good neighbor. see full story HEROES UPDATE: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Carolyn LeCroy – 2008 CNN Hero In April, the Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine, presented Carolyn with the 2009 Governor's Volunteer and Service Award in Richmond for her work connecting kids with their incarcerated parents. Her Messages Project is now in 11 Virginia institutions, has successfully expanded to several prisons in Nebraska, and will soon launch in Missouri. watch Carolyn's story Phymean Noun – 2008 CNN Hero Since being honored at CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute last November, Phymean received more than 2,000 emails from around the world and $80,000 in donations to continue educating and supporting the children working in Phnom Penh's trash dump. She's expanded the classroom to incorporate some of the children on her waiting list and hopes to build an orphanage next year. watch Phymean's story FROM THE FIELD CNN Heroes producer Danielle Berger shares her experience filming with CNN Hero Doc Hendley as he "turns wine into water" for communities in need worldwide. After a long drive on a windy, rainy mountain road, my cameraman and I arrived in Boone, N.C. to meet Doc Hendley. Doc was visually nervous when we met, but in a relaxed, southern way that matched his snakeskin boots and subtle drawl. During his interview, he explained how his work evolved from burning passion to haunting burden. I was struck by how closely his words resembled those of other heroes: Superman, Batman and Spiderman experienced an initial thrill at their ability to help those in need, but were ultimately weighted with a heaviness of responsibility. After filming an evening Wine to Water fundraiser, guests were serenaded by Doc on guitar and by a spirited display of clogging by his wife and mother-in-law that literally shook the house. About a week after our shoot in the U.S., Doc headed to Cambodia to help bring water to a school community - filmed by a CNN Hong Kong-based crew. The footage was beautiful and I was thrilled that it was exactly what we hoped it would be. It amazed me when Doc explained that nearly 75% of annual Cambodian deaths are caused by water-related illness. Being able to witness his dedication and sweet interaction with the children of the village brought to light everything he had described to me in his interview in Boone. see full story CNN Heroes is on Facebook Join our growing community and invite your friends - and get a first-look at exclusive photo albums and bonus video from our shoots with the 2009 Heroes. Visit Heroes on Facebook JOIN THE CONVERSATION Each week, we invite you to share your reaction to the work our Heroes are doing - and how they inspire you. See what people are saying about one of our recent - and wildly popular - CNN Heroes and contribute your own opinion in the 'Sound Off' section. Make sure you receive our e-mails. Please add CNN@access.cnn.com to your address book. You are receiving this e-mail because you have agreed to receive updates about CNN Heroes. To unsubscribe from this e-mail, click here. CNN.com Privacy Policy One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303 © & ® 2009 Cable News Network

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