VOLVO ANNOUNCES NEW BUTTERFLY AWARD CATEGORY, OPENS SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S YOUTH HEROES
Youth Winner in Volvo for life Awards will receive $25,000 Charitable Contribution, Runners Up Receive $10,000
Visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ by Oct. 15, 2007 to nominate your hometown hero
(IRVINE, Calif.) Sept. 4, 2007- Calling America's youth heroes. Volvo announced today the addition of a "kids only" category to its annual nationwide search for hometown heroes. Nominations for the Butterfly Award, open to kids 16 and under, are accepted now through Oct. 15 at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. The category, part of the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards, the nation's largest annual search for - and celebration of - everyday American heroes, will honor one outstanding kid with a $25,000 charitable donation and two runners up with $10,000 each.
"With the Butterfly Award category, Volvo will recognize the country's top kids, already proven heroes, who recognize the value of helping others at young age," said Anne Bélec, president and chief executive officer for Volvo Cars of North America. "This award was inspired by Alexandra Scott, one of our first Volvo for life Awards heroes, and at 6 years old, our youngest. Alex raised awareness and money for childhood cancer while courageously fighting her own deadly battle. That's a true testimony that heroism can begin at any age. We're privileged to continue her heroic tradition through the Butterfly Award."
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 17,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes. Every hero celebrated in the program has one thing in common: they are ordinary people who are making a positive difference in the lives of others.
When the nomination period closes on Oct. 15, 2007, the American public will be invited to vote for their favorite heroes online in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award.
A panel of distinguished judges will then select one winner for each of the three adult categories. Liz and Jay Scott, Alex's parents, will serve as the Butterfly Award judges. The three adult winners will be given a $100,000 charitable donation, up this year from $50,000, and the youth winner will receive a $25,000 charitable prize. A Grand Award Winner, selected from the Safety, Quality of Life and Environment categories, will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and will be presented with a new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life at the annual Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City, March 19, 2008.
"As a judge, I like it when kids see a problem and figure out a unique way to help fix it," said Jay Scott, Butterfly Award category judge. "I am looking for children who go above and beyond what is normally expected of them."
In addition to the Butterfly Award category creation, Volvo and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation have formed a partnership that names Volvo a founding sponsor of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
"Volvo has always been a great supporter of our daughter and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation," said Jay Scott. "We think it is great that Volvo has created this opportunity for a partnership with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. We're proud to be affiliated with such a great hero recognition program like the Volvo for life Awards."
About Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, headquartered in Wynnewood, Pa., was founded by Alexandra Scott to help doctors find a cure for childhood cancer, the disease that took her life in 2004. Alex began raising money by setting up lemonade stands in her front yard. Her parents, Liz and Jay Scott, and supporters have continued her legacy through their work with the foundation. As of July 1, 2007, the Foundation has raised over $12 million for childhood cancer research. For more information, please visit http://www.alexslemonade.org/.
To learn more or to nominate a hero, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
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Contact:
Kim McMartin
Haberman & Associates
612-372-6464
Media:
For photos and more information on the Volvo for life Awards: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/ and http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/
