Volvo Looks to California for New Hero Nominations
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has sought out and honored 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.
Suwol founded California Safe Schools (CSS) after watching her sons walk to school through a toxic cloud of pesticides being sprayed on school grounds. Her mobilization of parents, physicians, environmentalists, school staff, community members and the county health department resulted in an Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPM). The policy serves to reduce or eliminate the school district's use of dangerous pesticides in favor of mechanical, biological or low-toxicity products to eliminate pests and weeds. Funds received from Volvo enable CSS to continue its environmental health education via classroom presentations and through an upcoming Children's Environmental Health Summit.
Funding also assists CSS in replicating and distributing innovative environmental educational materials for school districts and communities nationally and internationally.
If you know someone like Suwol, visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com and share his or her story. When the nomination period closes this fall, the American public will be invited to vote for their favorite heroes online to decide the top three finalists in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. This year, there is also a fourth Volvo for life Awards category. Volvo is elevating its annual Butterfly Award to its own youth hero category -- with a $25,000 prize -- and welcomes nominations for heroes 16 and under.
A panel of distinguished judges will then select one winner for each of the four categories. 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.
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