FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National vote underway for all-time greatest heroes
in 5th Anniversary Volvo for life Awards
250 Finalists Selected; Vote for top hero at www.volvoforlifeawards.com
IRVINE, Calif. (August 14, 2006) - Who would you give a Volvo to? A 73-year-old Alabama florist serving as a volunteer first-responder? A Wyoming woman devoting a decade to protecting nearby critical habitat from unnecessary development? A 14-year-old Michigan boy managing a clothing drive for needy kids in his school?
These are just a few of the top heroes nominated over the past five years for the Volvo for life Awards – an annual, nationwide search for real-life heroes across America. This year, in honor of the 5th anniversary of these awards, Volvo has selected the top five heroes from every state – and published all 250 of their stories online at www.volvoforlifeawards.com.
Now, for the first time in history, Volvo is inviting America itself to serve as one of the Volvo for life Awards judges. From today through February 4, 2007, the American public can visit the Web site, read as many stories as they like, and vote for their favorite heroes online. This democratic vote will decide the finalists in the 5th Anniversary Awards in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment.
The finalists’ nominations will then be narrowed down to three winners by a panel of distinguished judges – including Hank Aaron, Sen. Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul Newman, Dr. Sally Ride, Val Kilmer, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and previous Volvo for life Awards top winners. Winners receive a $50,000 charitable contribution from Volvo; finalists receive a $25,000 contribution.
On April 4, 2007, Volvo will fly the winning heroes to New York, where they will be honored at the 5th Anniversary Awards Gala by Volvo and members of the celebrity judging panel. At the climax of the ceremony, Volvo will reveal which of the three top heroes is also the winner of the Grand Award of a Volvo for life – a lease on a new Volvo every three years for the rest of their lives.
“Over the past five years the Volvo for life Awards has received more than 15,000 hero nominations,” said Anne Bélec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. “All of these heroes demonstrate incredible conscience, care and character. We felt the proper way to mark the fifth year of the Volvo for life Awards would be to highlight the top five heroes from every state in America. Having the public help us select the winning heroes is a truly exciting – and democratic – addition to this year’s program. We look forward to discovering just who ‘America’s greatest hometown hero’ will be.”
To learn more, or to vote for your favorite hero, visit 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,
612-372-6447,
kim@habermaninc.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
