The big show is Thursday night! Don't miss USA TODAY's Best of Humankind Awards, celebrating ordinary people doing extraordinary things

The big show is one day away. 

From a man who donated his kidney to a stranger in a bar, to a student who replaced the shoes of a boy who was being bullied, the Best of Humankind Awards will  honor everyday people who have showcased the highest level of kindness, compassion and perseverance in 2021. 

Hosted by Jenna Bush Hager, co-host of TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, the inaugural contest will stream beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern 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. 

Categories include recognition for educators, health-care workers, animal advocates, military heroes, personal triumphs, sportsmanship and more. Each Humankind award category celebrates an everyday person who is making a difference in their community. 

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.

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. Enter here. 

Want to get prepared? Here are the finalists: 

Categories include: 

• Best of Animalkind Award, sponsored by PetsMart Charities   
• 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   

Watch hundreds of videos and find out more about USA TODAY's Humankind franchise here.