New York Man Named National Hero Award Semifinalist for Helping Improve Healthcare and Literacy in Sudan
National vote underway for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards; $100,000 charitable contributions awarded to finalists; winner receives Volvo car for life
40 Semi-Finalists Selected; Vote at www.volvoforlifeawards.com
IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 15 -- John Dau, like thousands of other African males from southern Sudan, was forced to flee his village and spend 16 years on the run through the countryside avoiding air and ground attacks. Dau reached the United States in 2001 and his belated encounter with American culture was captured in an award-winning documentary, "God Grew Tired of Us." Since then, Dau has raised $700,000 to improve healthcare and literacy in southern Sudan. Now, Dau has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes and is in the running to be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero" in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards -- an annual, nationwide search for real-life heroes across America.
Beginning today, the American public can visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and vote for Dau. This democratic vote will decide the program finalists in Volvo's hero search. Three winning heroes will receive $100,000 for their charities. One extraordinary winner will receive a new Volvo car every three years for life.
In 1983, the announcement by Sudan's Arab president that the country would become a Muslim state, combined with the introduction of Muslim sharia law, sparked a rebel movement among the indigenous Africans of Sudan resulting in a violent civil war that scars the country to this day.
One of the storied "Lost Boys of Sudan," Dau endured unimaginable hardship leading groups of displaced young men that he had encountered in the bush toward safety. With no clothes to guard them against the cold temperatures at night, little to eat or drink and no weapons to fend off wild animals or hostile tribes, Dau's group eventually -- and miraculously -- reached a refugee camp along the Ethiopian border. But, it was not long before the refugee camp was attacked by Ethiopian rebels, forcing Dau to lead the young men back into Sudan.
In 2001, Dau emigrated from a refugee camp in northern Kenya to the United States. Since coming to the United States, Dau has completed an associate's degree at Syracuse University and written a book about his experiences. He has also established a nonprofit organization and raised more than $700,000 to bring healthcare and literacy to southern Sudan. Dau successfully opened one medical clinic in Sudan and now hopes to build and operate six additional clinics with integrated schoolrooms.
Since 2002, Volvo Cars of North America has identified more than 18,000 everyday heroes in its annual Volvo for life Awards, and has contributed millions of dollars to their causes.
"Once again, Volvo is inviting America itself to serve as one of the Volvo for life Awards judges," said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. "Last year we had an overwhelming response with more than 700,000 votes tallied. This year's heroes are top notch. It will be tough to narrow the field down and pick winners, but Volvo is confident that America is up to the challenge."
In the end, every vote counts. 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 http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and learn more about what the top 40 hometown heroes are doing to make the world a better place now and in the future. Most importantly, support Dau with your vote and help bring more funding to your community.
Volvo Cars of North America leads the national initiative, honoring and rewarding local heroes with financial contributions each year. 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 January 7, 2008, a panel of distinguished judges will select one winner 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 http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
NOTE TO EDITORS: For photos and more information on the Volvo for life Awards visit www.volvocars-pr.com