Meet 15 Guys Who Are Saving the World
These men are inspiring kids, beautifying cities and improving our health. Did we mention they're also quite easy on the eyes?
Photo: Jeff Trussell/Enough Project
John Prendergast
Why we're fans: The author, mentor and activist cofounded the
Enough Project, a nonprofit that raises awareness of genocide and crimes against humanity.
John Prendergast looks back on a life-changing friendship
David Chang
Why we're fans: This star chef joined the advisory board and became a major fundraiser for
Edible Schoolyard, which integrates gardening and cooking into public school curricula.
Learn how David Chang is changing America's food culture
Darren Saravis
Why we're fans: The designer and engineer strives to bring solar power to cities, beautifying streets with the Solarflora, a towering flower sculpture with solar-panel petals.
Learn more about Darren Saravis's mission
Photo: Andrew Hetherington
Siggi Hilmarsson
Why we're fans: Unaccustomed to the high sugar content in American food, the young Icelandic entrepreneur created
Siggi's Skyr—protein-rich fruit yogurt that's refreshingly low in the sweet stuff.
How his homesickness inspired his success
Photo: Askinosie Chocolate
Shawn Askinosie
Why we're fans: The philanthropically-minded chocolate entrepreneur aims to get students thinking about business ethics in a way that could have ripple effects for generations.
Learn about Shawn Askinosie's Cocoa Honors program
Photo: Courtesy of Zach Skow
Zach Skow
Why we're fans: As the founder of
Marley's Mutts, the animal lover has devoted his life to finding homes for large rescue dogs.
How dogs saved his life—and why he's working to save theirs
Bishop Walter Thomas
Why we're fans: This Baltimore pastor leads a congregation of more than 7,000 members working to increase awareness of water and sanitation issues in Africa.
His eco aha! moment—and what keeps him motivated
Jack Johnson
Why we're fans: The singer-songwriter's touring profits go to his Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation for environmental and social initiatives. Plus, he travels on a tour bus that runs on biodiesel fuel and has a concert rider that includes requests for compact fluorescent light bulbs and recycling bins.
How Jack Johnson is making rock 'n' roll go green
Paul von Zielbauer
Why we're fans: The former
New York Times correspondent started
Roadmonkey Adventure Philanthropy, which combines physically challenging expeditions with humanitarian efforts.
Learn more about Roadmonkey
Photo: Courtesy of Fuseproject
Yves Béhar
Why we're fans: His design firm
Fuseproject partnered with the Mexican government and nonprofit See Better to Learn Better to provide free glasses and eye exams for Mexican children in need.
Learn more about Yves Béhar's mission
Laird Hamilton
Why we're fans: The socially aware surf legend routinely pushes his physical limits to raise money for cystic fibrosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, and autism. He once embarked on a cross-country cycling competition the day after completing a 110-mile stand-up paddle—all for charity.
Why are surfers so committed to philanthropy?
Barton Brooks
Why we're fans: He's a one-man, traveling international aid organization.
How Barton Brooks gives without borders
Nigel Savage
Why we're fans: The devout Jew and foodie founded
Hazon (Hebrew for "vision"), a nonprofit that runs the largest faith-based community-supported agriculture program in the country.
What he hopes to achieve by 2015
Paul Rusesabagina
Why we're fans: He's a hero who saved 1,200 lives during the Rwandan slaughter of 1994 and inspired the film
Hotel Rwanda.
Read Oprah's interview with Paul Rusesabagina
Photo: Kwaku Alston Photography
Blake Mycoskie
Why we're fans: The founder of Toms Shoes and author of
Start Something That Matters believes giving things away is good for business.
5 things Blake Mycoskie knows for sure
Published 07/07/2011
