Who Was Your Favorite Hometown Hero In 2003?

Nominate 2003's Greatest Hometown Hero at www.volvoforlifeawards.com by Jan. 16, 2004; Volvo to Provide $1 Million in Contributions to Honor Heroes

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 -- Do you know someone in your town who this past year went above the call of duty to make your community a better place? If so, you have a chance to give that person the title of "2003's Greatest Hometown Hero" by nominating him or her for a Volvo for Life Award.

Nominations for your choice for the top everyday hero in your community are being accepted at www.volvoforlifeawards.com through Jan. 16, 2004. Now in its second year, the Volvo for Life Awards is the nation's largest annual search for and celebration of local heroes, providing more than $1 million in contributions. One overall winner receives a new Volvo car every three years for life.

Volvo has received hundreds of local hero nominations nationwide to date. To help get you thinking about your favorite hero in 2003, and to encourage you to volunteer in 2004, here are inspiring stories of four nominees:

   -- Michael Pesci, Parsippany, N.J., a 14-year-old boy who has raised more
      than $30,000 for disabled and disadvantaged children during his annual
      "Perfect Pitch" Home-Run Derby.

   -- P. Margaret Yeboah, Minneapolis, a schoolteacher and single mother of
      five who has used her own money to help build 20 classrooms, a medical
      clinic and a vocational school in a tiny African village.

   -- Juanita Lewis, Memphis, Tenn., a retired barber and cancer survivor
      who visits the homes of sick people in her community and provides
      haircuts, pedicures and baths.

   -- Juan Jimenez, Los Angeles, a former gang member who has devoted his
      life to ensuring other youngsters do not join gangs or abuse drugs,
      and to close the gap between local police and the community.

Nominate a hero you know at www.volvoforlifeawards.com by Jan. 16. In March, nine finalists in the program will be judged by celebrity judges -- including Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul Newman, Sally Ride and Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The judges will name one winner in three categories: Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. The three category winners will receive a $50,000 donation made in their name to the charity or nonprofit group of their choice. The six other finalists will receive a $10,000 charitable contribution.

The three category winners also 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, where an 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 about the program and to nominate a hero, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com . A Spanish version of the site can be accessed at this address, as well.

Editors Note: For photos and more information on the Volvo for Life
Awards: www.volvocars-pr.com