FOR RELEASE, Sept. 16, 2003
DO YOU KNOW AMERICA'S GREATEST HOMETOWN HERO?
Nominations for everyday heroes sought at www.volvoforlifeawards.com in largest search for and celebration of local heroes
$1 Million Awarded in Second Annual Volvo for Life Awards;
Top Winner Receives a Volvo Car for Life
(NEW YORK) Sept. 16, 2003 -- Do you know a hero -- someone in your community seeking to improve the quality of life, safety and/or environment of others? If you do, beginning today you can nominate your hero for the Volvo for Life Awards -- the nation's largest annual search and celebration of everyday heroes.
Led by Volvo Cars of North America, the annual national public service program celebrates and rewards local heroes with $1 million in financial contributions. One hometown hero will win a Volvo car for life. To nominate someone you know, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com today through Jan. 16, 2004.
During the nomination period, Volvo will profile select nominees on the www.volvoforlifeawards.com Web site and in the media. Volvo is conducting the program in an effort to inspire people nationwide to make outstanding contributions in their own communities.
Now in its second year, the Volvo for Life Awards seeks ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things -- such as building a neighborhood center for needy kids, developing recycling programs for their schools, or helping save the life of a perfect stranger.
In March, Volvo will select 100 semi-finalists, who will receive a framed Certificate of Merit to honor their accomplishments. From those 100 semi-finalists, Volvo will select the top three finalists in three categories: Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. From these finalists, celebrity judges -- including Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul Newman, Sally Ride and Eunice Kennedy Shriver -- along with Robert Young, last year's winner, will name one winner for each of the three categories; they will each receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice. The remaining six finalists will each receive a $10,000 charitable donation. The three category winners will be flown to New York on April 7, 2004, to be honored at the Volvo for Life Awards Ceremony in Times Square Studios Ltd, where an overall winner will be named and presented with a Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life.
Last year's first-ever Volvo for Life Awards generated 2,036 nominations, representing each of the 50 states. The initiative honored such diverse individuals as an advocate for domestic abuse survivors, a young girl with cancer raising money for other cancer victims, a supporter of Hmong refugee women seeking jobs and a champion for American Indians seeking adequate housing.
To learn more and to nominate a hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can be accessed at this address, as well.
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Contact:
Eric Davis, Haberman & Associates, 612-338-3900, eric@modernstorytellers.com.
Sören Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, 949-341-6719, sjohan44@volvocars.com.
Media:
For photos and more information on the Volvo for Life Awards: www.volvocars-pr.com.
