FOR RELEASE, Sept. 16
Second Annual Volvo for Life Awards Celebrates
Everyday Heroes with $1 Million in Contributions
Nominate a hero at www.volvoforlifeawards.com
(NEW YORK) Sept. 16, 2003 -- Do you know a local hero -- a person who is seeking to improve the quality of life, safety and/or environment of others? Beginning today, Volvo Cars of North America is calling on people to nominate a hero they know in the nation's largest annual search for and celebration of everyday heroes.
Now in its second year, the Volvo for Life Awards is a grassroots public service program that honors hometown heroes with $1 million in contributions. Today through Jan. 16, 2004, Volvo invites people to submit hero nominations at www.volvoforlifeawards.com. Throughout the nomination period, Volvo will profile hundreds of nominees on the Web site. Winners will be honored at a gala Times Square ceremony in April 2004.
"In its first year, the Volvo for Life Awards generated 2,036 nominations, representing heroes in every state who demonstrated conscience, care and character," said Vic Doolan, president of Volvo Cars of North America. "An advocate for domestic abuse survivors, a young girl with cancer raising money for cancer research, a champion for American Indians seeking adequate housing, are just a few.
"We're again conducting this program to bring the good deeds of local heroes to a national stage and to inspire others to become more involved in their communities," Doolan added. "We feel this initiative is a powerful tool for Volvo to connect with the public at an emotional level with the stories of unsung heroes doing great things. By doing so, we're able to show people -- rather than tell them -- the value our company and its employees place on safety, quality of life and environment."
Celebrity Judges to Select Top Heroes
In March 2004, Volvo will select 100 semi-finalists who will receive a 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. The winners 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. The event will feature top music entertainment and a celebrity host, as well as three documentaries profiling the heroes. The overall winner will be named and presented with a Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life.
To learn more and to nominate a hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
Volvo Searches for its Own Heroes with Employee Program
Volvo is launching an employee program that honors everyday heroes who work in the United States for Volvo Cars of North America and its retailers. Called "Volvo Heroes USA," the internal initiative calls for company employees to nominate a co-worker they consider an everyday hero.
"Our 14,000 U.S. employees are extremely enthusiastic about the Volvo for Life Awards," Doolan said. "Like everyone else, they know a local hero or two. Often these heroes are their co-workers. We wanted to create this special employee program to allow members of the Volvo family to be honored for their heroic efforts, as well."
As with the Volvo for Life Awards, charitable donations will be made to Volvo Heroes USA's top finalists' and winners' charities of choice. Winners will be honored at a special Volvo employee ceremony in spring 2004.
The general public can view company nominations when they visit a special section of www.volvoforlifeawards.com.
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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.
