The US Consulate and Centre of Philanthropy will celebrate unsung heroes today.

Members of various charity organisations will gather for a variety of charity leaders to thank them for their commitment to Bermuda's third sector.

US Consul General Gregory Slayton will also be showing parts of a US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) documentary "The New Heroes" on social entrepreneurs across the globe who develop innovations that bring life-changing tools and resources to people desperate for help.

Mr. Slayton said yesterday: "I've lived all over the world and have never been in a country where the third sector is so alive and thriving. There are so many charities on this Island doing remarkable things.

"I hope the "New Heroes" will inspire them to do even more."

"The New Heroes" documentary tells the dramatic stories of 14 daring people from all corners of the globe who, against all odds, are helping to alleviate poverty and illness, combatting unemployment and violence, and bringing education and freedom to poor and marginalised people around the world.

The US Consulate has partnered with the Centre of Philanthropy to throw the event. Executive director Pam Barit Nolan said Mr. Slayton has been a big advocate of the Centre since he arrived in Bermuda.

"These stories are amazing," she said of the PBS documentary, "These people are doing big things with very little. One woman in Iraq formed a preschool for children with Down's syndrome because she couldn't find one for her son."

This is not the first time the Centre of Philanthropy has partnered with the Consulate, Ms. Barit Nolan said, they also helped run stalls at the July 4th party this year.

For more information on the PBS documentary visit www.pbs.org.