Published: 2:37 PM, 11/05/2009

Last updated: 12:52 PM, 11/17/2009

By: Caroline Monday

N.C. State University rolled out the red carpet today with a rally for Boone resident and NCSU alumnus Doc Hendley, though it should be said most carpets here in Wolfpack country are red.

Hendley is the founder of Wine to Water and one of the Top 10 CNN Heroes for 2009.
Wine to Water is a Boone-based nonprofit raising money and awareness for the need for clean water and adequate sanitation systems in developing communities around the world.

A former bartender, Hendley hosts wine-tasting events to rally support to help solve a problem that kills more people worldwide than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined.

Raleigh and Boone dignitaries attended the event, commending Hendley for his achievements and encouraging the crowd to vote for Hendley as CNN Hero of the Year at cnn.com/heroes.

 The crowd of more than 100 people included students from Appalachian State University, Watauga High School and NCSU.

The university's mascot, Mr. Wolf, marching band and cheerleaders added to the festivities, leading onlookers in cheers and the NCSU fight song.

NCSU chancellor John Woodward addressed those in attendance, quoting Nobel laureate Albert Schweitzer saying, "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

"Doc, you have sought and found how to serve," Woodward said.

Raleigh City Council member Thomas Crowder spoke on behalf of Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, proclaiming the day to be Doc Hendley Day.

Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson also issued a proclamation from the Town of Boone, commending Hendley for his work and dedication to helping others.

"If you come to Boone, we'll make it Doc Hendley Day everyday of the month," she added.
Hendley said he was excited to receive this honor, but added, "There's absolutely nothing special about me." He said he had not been a great student or a great athlete and had only recently learned how to speak to a crowd. He said he just found something he was passionate about and used the resources he had to make a difference.

"I just did all I knew how to do, serve drinks and tell people what's going on in the world," he said.

Hendley was visibly moved by the support of those in attendance, tearing up as he ended his speech, which prompted the crowd to begin chanting, "Let's go Doc!"

To date, Wine to Water has helped establish clean-water systems in India, Peru, the Sudan, Uganda and Cambodia for schools, orphanages, refugee camps, homes and even a leper colony.

Hendley said the organization has slowly grown since its creation several years ago, but the recent attention has lead to a rapid increase in support.

"It's definitely given us a voice," he said, adding that he still hopes to run the nonprofit as a small, grassroots organization.

More than 9,000 candidates from 100 countries were nominated to be a CNN Hero. The competition singles out ordinary people who work to help others and who achieve extraordinary things.

The top 10 candidates were selected by a panel of distinguished members, including Gen. Colin Powell, Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Turner, Shakira, Rosanna Rosado, Mariane Pearl, Malaak Compton-Rock and Elton John.

CNN will reveal the Hero of the Year at a Hollywood gala later this month, which will air Nov. 29 at 9 p.m. Who wins will be based on the candidate who received the most votes on cnn.com/heroes. Each top ten hero will receive $25,000 and the winner will receive $100,000.

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