Indiana Boy Helping Disadvantaged Abroad Named National Hero Award Semifinalist

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 -- Ten-year-old Maxwell Lawson from Munster is one of 10 top hometown youth heroes from across the country being recognized in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards. Lawson is a semifinalist in Volvo's national search for, and celebration of, hometown heroes and with enough votes, he 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. Lawson 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.

At just six years old, Lawson became the youngest missionary to visit Zacapa, Guatemala with Hearts in Motion, an organization dedicated to providing care and medical treatment to children in Central and South America. Despite making the trip at a young age, he learned about disadvantaged kids in the world and the need to make a positive change in their lives. Before leaving for Guatemala, Lawson collected 30 backpacks full of school supplies, children's vitamins and baby formula to distribute among Zacapa's needy. Upon arriving, Lawson helped the adult missionary workers build a new school. He also volunteered his time helping out in the town's medical clinics.

When Lawson returned home, he did not forget the impoverished Guatemalan children who made shoes out of old tires. To help out, he collected approximately 100 pairs of shoes, new and used, and sent them to the mission for distribution. When Lawson learned that his family's missionary friends planned to build a new orphanage in Gualan, Guatemala, he collected donations to purchase 10 baby cribs for the new facility.

Years later, Lawson began volunteering for the Range of Motion Project (ROMP), a group dedicated to providing affordable prosthetic limbs for economically disadvantaged children. He raised enough funds for two children to receive new prosthetic legs. Lawson continues to give his time to those preparing for Guatemalan mission trips by packing medical equipment and supplies for the relief work.

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.