12.06.2007 - 12:00pm ET

(CSRwire) IRVINE, CA - December 6, 2007 - 'Tis the season of giving, so help celebrate 40 special people who give the gift of life, happiness and safety to those in need all year round, simply by giving them your vote. Forty hometown heroes have been identified as semi-finalists in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards and are in the running to win a $100,000 charitable contribution and a Volvo car for life! But hurry, there’s only one month left to vote. The poll to elect the nation’s greatest hometown heroes closes Jan. 7, 2008.

Volvo Cars of North America leads the national initiative, honoring and rewarding local heroes. Ten heroes have been selected in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award, Volvo’s youth category. The voting period will determine three finalists in each category. Visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com to vote and learn more about how these amazing hometown heroes are giving back to their communities.

This year, Volvo doubled the charitable donation amount given to the top three winners. One top hero in each of the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment will receive $100,000 for their charities; two runners-up in each category will receive $25,000. One extraordinary winner will go on to receive the title "America's Greatest Hometown Hero," and with it, a new Volvo car every three years for life.

A fourth Volvo for life Awards category is up for grabs this year - but only America’s kids can reach it. Volvo is elevating its annual Butterfly Award to its own youth hero category - with a $25,000 prize for the winner and $10,000 to two runners-up.

When the voting period ends Jan. 7, 2008, a panel of distinguished judges including Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Dr. Sally Ride, Maya Lin, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Mae Jemison and Edsel Ford, will select one winner from the three finalists in 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 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.

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. To view mini documentaries of previous heroes, visit http://www.youtube.com/user/VolvoVFLA.

For more information please contact:

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