Local Boy Named Semifinalist in National Hero Award Program for Raising Money, Awareness for Braille Education

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

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

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 26 -- Eleven-year-old Rocco Fiorentino from Voorhees, N.J. is one of 10 top hometown youth heroes from across the country being recognized in the 6th Annual Volvo for life Awards. Fiorentino 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. Fiorentino 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.

Though only 11-years-old, Rocco Fiorentino is already leaving his imprint on public policy -- a Braille imprint. Blind due to prematurity, Fiorentino has successfully lobbied legislators in New Jersey to provide $1.2 million in funding for Braille education and services for children who are blind or visually impaired in public schools throughout the state.

"I think it's really cool to help other blind kids by doing Braille advocacy so they can get a great education," said Fiorentino. "I'm really excited about being a semifinalist and honored that Volvo has recognized what I'm doing."

Fiorentino is an accomplished pianist, jazz composer and vocalist and is also a leader and volunteer at the Little Rock Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by his family. The foundation provides vital resources for children, parents, therapists, and educators who are facing issues related to blindness. In addition to a variety of reading materials, the foundation also has two dedicated resource centers in Philadelphia -- one at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and another at the Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia. The Little Rock Foundation has a scholarship program, an annual summer camp and holds regular community outreach events. Fiorentino's advocacy in a variety of public forums has helped raise the profile of the foundation and allowed more families to benefit from its many resources. To date, the Foundation has raised $1.5 million and reached 40,000 children and hopes to open more resource centers in hospitals and to encourage families to start their own local chapters of the Foundation throughout the country.

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, two runners up will 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 www.volvocars-pr.com