Volvo Looks To Michigan For New Hero Nominations

National Hero Award Recipient, Detroit Rev. Faith Fowler, Helps Volvo Call All Michigan Heroes in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards

IRVINE, Calif., July 26, 2007 -- Earlier this year, Volvo named Rev. Faith Fowler of Detroit a 5th Annual Volvo for life Awards finalist for running a variety of programs that benefit the homeless, mentally ill and mentally impaired populations in her inner-city neighborhood. As the national awards program enters its sixth year, Volvo is revisiting Michigan with hopes of uncovering more heroes from this bountiful state. Sixth Annual Volvo for life Awards nominations are being accepted now through October 15 at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/.

The Volvo for life Awards is the nation's largest annual search for -- and celebration of -- everyday heroes. In the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards, three extraordinary citizens will receive a $100,000 charitable contribution to the charity of his or her choice, with one going on to receive the title "America's Greatest Hometown Hero," and with it, a new Volvo car every three years for life.

"I can't thank Volvo enough for enabling me to make such a sizeable charitable donation to a new homeless shelter for men with HIV/AIDS," Fowler said. "As a Volvo for life Awards winner, I know what an incredible difference being a part of the program can make in the lives of others. I urge everyone to nominate their heroes and give them the opportunity to carry out their mission to help the community."

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.

Rev. Fowler conducts a variety of programs that elevate and celebrate the least-acknowledged members of society -- the homeless, mentally impaired and mentally ill. While attending to her followers' pastoral needs in a marginalized neighborhood, Rev. Fowler finds the time and the will to address the needs for connection and inclusion among the already most vulnerable of our communities. It's all above and beyond the call of simply running an inner-city church and the results are as inspired as they are inspiring. For instance, Rev. Fowler traveled by van to Washington, D.C., with a choir of formerly homeless, mentally ill men, experienced their camaraderie, and then along with a moved audience, heard the beautiful music they produced.

If you know someone like Fowler, 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.