Texas Girl Named National Hero Award Semifinalist for Starting a Youth Organization to Protect Animal Welfare

National vote underway for the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards; Local youth hero could win $25,000 charitable contribution

10 Butterfly Award Semifinalists Selected; Vote at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 20 -- Thirteen-year-old Stephanie Cohen from Colleyville is one of 10 top hometown youth heroes from across the country being recognized in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards. Cohen is a semifinalist in Volvo's national search for, and celebration of, hometown heroes and with enough votes, she could be in the running to win up to a $25,000 charitable contribution.

This year, Volvo selected 10 heroes from thousands of nominations in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life, Environment and the Butterfly Award, Volvo's youth category created in memory of Volvo for life Award winner, Alexandra Scott. Cohen has been selected as a top 10 youth hero, and the American public is invited to learn more about all 40 heroes and vote for their favorites at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ now until Jan. 7, 2008.

While in kindergarten, Cohen developed a fascination with manatees. At eight years old, she read an article about an injured Florida manatee and knew she could do something to help them. She crafted manatee pins and sold them to friends and relatives to raise awareness about the plight of the manatees, distributing all of the proceeds to help care for injured marine animals. The fundraising campaign and an overwhelming interest from classmates inspired her to create Kids Making A Difference, a nonprofit organization for kids interested in animal welfare and protecting the environment.

Kids Making A Difference volunteers have a positive impact in their communities by participating in city street cleanup programs, fostering and collecting needed items for homeless pets and fundraising for the preservation of endangered wildlife. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, volunteers from the organization came to the rescue of animal shelters affected by the disaster.

Currently in ninth grade, Cohen introduced the organization into her high school where it has experienced its biggest growth yet. Over the past school year, Kids Making A Difference volunteers helped several animal shelters in need, adopted a manatee for a third grade class and have been active in a variety of recycling projects.

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.

"Our youth heroes are particularly inspiring because they show that no matter what age you are, you can make a very big difference," said Anne Belec, president and chief executive officer of Volvo Cars of North America. "We're thrilled that the Butterfly Award has its own category this year, and encourage the public to visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ to learn more about these ten incredible kids and what they're doing to make the world a better place. And of course, support the heroes with their vote."

When the voting period ends January 7, 2008, a panel of distinguished judges will select one winner in each of the four categories. This year, Volvo doubled the charitable donation amount given to the top three winners in the categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment. Each will receive $100,000 for their charities; two runners-up in each category will receive $25,000. 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.

The Butterfly Award winner will receive a charitable contribution of $25,000 and two runners up will each receive $10,000.

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 http://www.volvocars-pr.com.