Jenna Bush Hager will host the inaugural USA TODAY Best of Humankind Awards

Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, will host the first USA TODAY Best of Humankind Awards debuting at 7 p.m. Eastern Dec. 9.

The Best of Humankind Awards honor everyday people who have showcased the highest level of kindness, compassion and perseverance in 2021. Each Humankind award recognizes and celebrates an everyday person who is making a difference in their community.

Hager, a best-selling author and journalist, will be announcing the winners of the inaugural contest that will stream on HumankindAwards.com, USA TODAY and Humankind's Facebook and YouTube channels, Humankind's TikTok and Twitter accounts and the USA TODAY channel found on Tubi, Roku and most smart TVs.

Through a public nomination process, Humankind received hundreds of inspirational stories from the public. The finalists in 11 categories received more than 70,000 votes. The winners will be announced during the show by Hager.

From a couple who want to make sure that senior dogs live out their last days in comfort, to an 18-year-old sophomore at Georgetown University who co-founded a philanthropic teen-led nonprofit platform, all the finalists have done something extraordinary. Watch all the finalist videos here.

Winners in each category will be awarded $1,000 to help further their cause, with the person nominating them receiving $250. Additionally, during the show, viewers can enter the Best of Humankind Awards sweepstakes to win $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 to benefit a charity of their choice.

Categories include:

• Best of Animalkind Award

• Best of Militarykind Award

• Best of Womankind Award

• Best of Sportskind Award

• Best of Earthkind Award

• Humankind Educator of the Year

• Humankind Healthcare Worker of the Year

• Humankind Triumph Award

• Humankind Act of Kindness Caught on Video

• Humankind Person of the Year

• Humankind Viewer’s Choice Award

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Jenna Bush Hager will host the first USA TODAY Best of Humankind Awards