Efren Peñaflorida named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year at the gala . Extra | How to help . It featured appearances by actress Nicole Richie , Grammy - winning artist Carrie Underwood . Third - annual event was taped before an audience of 3,000 at the Nokia Theatre .
Efren Peñaflorida named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year at the gala . It featured appearances by actress Nicole Richie , Grammy - winning artist Carrie Underwood . Third - annual event was taped before an audience of 3,000 at the Nokia Theatre .