Mpelembe :: Let These Heroes Inspire You in 2006

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The holiday season is a time to reflect on the year past and to look toward improvement in the year ahead. Hoping to make a positive impact on the world in 2006?

Each year, Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA) calls on people nationwide to nominate and share stories of heroes they know at www.volvoforlifeawards.com. Now in its fourth year, the Volvo for life Awards initiative is the nation's largest search for and celebration of everyday heroes. Winning heroes will receive $1 million in financial contributions, including a Volvo car every three years for life awarded to the top winner, "America's Greatest Hometown Hero."

Here are several stories of Volvo for life Awards heroes nominated thus far in 2005 to inspire you in 2006:

* Compassionate girl makes difficult times more manageable for others:

Lauren Moynihan of West Hartford, Conn., created "Blankets with

Heart." She brightens kids' days with heart-related diseases by

sending handmade blankets, afghans and gifts to them before surgery or

during their hospital stays.

* Conservationist fighting for Alaskan wildlife: Britt Constantine of

Juneau, Alaska plays a leading role in Alaskan conservation with her

organization "Alaska Conservation Alliance." She coordinates

statewide strategic campaigns, such as "Defend Alaska Now", to fight

legislation putting the environment at risk.

* High school student standing up to ease a crisis: Humza Kazmi from

Silver Spring, Md., a student and suicide prevention activist who

dedicates hundreds of hours to educating his peers about the epidemic

and combating its devastating effects.

* Texas man channels his career skills into a good cause: Donald O'Neal,

a Farmersville, Texas man works to improve the cooking and heating

conditions in Guatemala by removing hazardous open fires and providing

people with stoves he designed during his career as an engineer.

* Concerned residents facing a local problem head on: George and Robbie

Hill of San Diego, Calif., opened an afterschool music and culture

program for children negatively affected by gang violence, drug abuse,

teen pregnancy, high unemployment and inadequate educational and

recreational facilities.

* Washington man takes vision global: Fred Medneck from Mercer Island,

Wash., created an ever-expanding, mostly volunteer network of more

than 5,000 teachers in 84 countries who help one another build

innovative, responsive educational systems in the communities most in

need. The organization, "Teachers Without Borders," stemmed from

Medneck's idea that if teachers could unite globally, they could

become an instrument for doing good better than many top-down

international relief agencies.

* Mississippi girl letting past hardships guide her in helping others:

Brooke Miley of Sumrall, Miss. underwent heart transplant surgery at

15 months old and received a cancer diagnosis at age 5. Miley has

taken the lead in helping to create a nationwide organ donor patch for

the Girl Scouts. She is also Mississippi's American Heart Association

spokesperson and works closely with the American Cancer Society.

If you know a local hero, nominations for the fourth annual Volvo for life Awards are open until Jan. 15, 2006 at www.volvoforlifeawards.com.

In March 2006, Volvo will announce the names of 100 semi-finalists and honor their individual accomplishments with a Certificate of Merit. Three finalists in each nomination category will then be selected.

A panel of distinguished judges representing some of the world's foremost experts on conscience, care and character -- including Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Richard Branson, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul Newman, Sally Ride, Eunice Kennedy Shriver and last year's top winner, Hope Bevilhymer -- will name one winner for each of the three categories. The category winners each will receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice. The remaining six finalists each will receive a $25,000 charitable donation.

On April 12, 2006, Volvo will honor the three category winners at the Volvo for life Awards Ceremony in New York City. Each year the event features top music entertainment and a celebrity host, as well as documentaries profiling the category winners. The grand award winner, selected by the judges, will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" and presented with a Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life.

To learn more or to nominate a hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address. SOURCE Volvo Cars of North America

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