A man who champions efforts to clean up land along the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities is a finalist for CNN’s “Hero of the Year” award.
Pregracke founded the non-profit Living Lands and Waters organization, which has rallied about 70,000 volunteers since 1998 to remove more than 7-million pounds of trash from 22 rivers in the United States.
In the Quad cities, Pregracke hosts the annual Xstream Cleanup. He also travels across the country promoting river cleanup efforts.
Pregracke was also a recipient of the Order of Lincoln Award in 2013, a leadership recognition presented by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Each of the top ten finalists for CNN’s Heroes of 2013 will receive $50,000 and be recognized in a December 1, 2013 CNN broadcast tribute to those heroes. The Hero of the Year will receive an additional $250,000 for their cause.
CNN is accepting votes via email and on Facebook Until November 17. To cast your vote, click here.