Celebrity Judges to Unveil Top Three Heroes, April 5, in the heart of
New York City
IRVINE, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2007) - Don't think about calling Robina
Suwol an overprotective mother. Because of what started out as a
concern for the health of her children, Suwol has helped protect
millions of kids from harmful pesticides and toxins. After seeing her
own children walk through a cloud of pesticides outside their school
door, Suwol founded California Safe Schools to protect students from
dangerous toxic substances. Suwol's incredible dedication to
safeguarding children prompted the American public to name her a
finalist in the 5th Annual Volvo for life Awards. As one of nine top
heroes selected, Suwol will receive $25,000 for her cause, and now
has a chance to win an additional $25,000 and a car for life.
The Volvo for life Awards (www.volvoforlifeawards.com)
ever national search for and celebration of everyday heroes in the
categories of Safety, Quality of Life and Environment, with Volvo
Cars of North America providing $1 million in awards and
contributions in honor of heroes. For the past six months the
American public has been voting to decide the country's nine favorite
hometown heroes in the Fifth Anniversary Volvo for life Awards. The
program, launched in August 2006, called for individuals nationwide
to visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com and vote for their favorite
unsung hometown hero. Volvo received 676,903 votes from across the
country.
A distinguished panel of celebrity judges who are experts on care,
conscience and character - Hank Aaron, Sen. Bill Bradley, Caroline
Kennedy, Maya Lin, Val Kilmer, Paul Newman, Dr. Sally Ride, Eunice
Kennedy Shriver and previous Volvo for life Awards grand winners -
will now review Suwol and the eight other finalists' nominations to
select the program's top three winners in the categories of Safety,
Quality of Life and Environment. Suwol is a finalist in the
Environment category.
Volvo will fly the three category winners to New York to be honored
at the 42nd St. Cipriani during the Volvo for life Awards ceremony on
April 5, 2007. At the event, Volvo and program judges will present a
short film documenting each winner and present him and/or her with a
$50,000 contribution to the charity of his or her choice. In
addition, they will announce the program's grand winner, who will
receive a new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her
life and will be named "America's Greatest Hometown Hero." The
remaining six finalists will each receive a donation of $25,000 to
the charities of their choice.
Suwol's Story
After watching her sons walk into school through a toxic cloud of
pesticides, Suwol founded California Safe Schools to protect children
from harmful chemicals used on school property. Her mobilization of
parents, physicians, environmentalists, school staff and management,
community members and the county health department resulted in an
Integrated Pest Management Policy (IPM). The policy serves to reduce
or eliminate the school district's use of dangerous pesticides in
favor of mechanical, biological or low-toxicity products. Today, the
IPM policy that Suwol helped bring about serves as a national model.
Suwol has also testified before government and public hearings
countless times urging protection for children in school settings,
making her one of the most effective voices in the nation concerning
current school-related Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Suwol recently lead the way for a new law to protect California
children from exposure to "experimental"
otherwise legal. The California law, Assembly Bill 405, now protects
more than 6 million students and hundreds of thousands of teachers
and school employees from experimental pesticides whose health
effects are unknown. Because childhood diagnosis of asthma, cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes have increased, her work today is
more critical than ever.
"Volvo is synonymous with safety, which is what my life's work is all
about," Suwol said. "I can think of nothing better than to drive the
car that exemplifies being proactive and responsible. Funds received
from Volvo will continue our work to protect the health of children.
Last year we sponsored a bill that protected 6 million children and
hundreds of thousands of teachers and school employees in California
from exposure to toxic substances. We hope to expand that work on a
national level. Children can't vote and depend on adults to protect
them. That's what we will continue to do."
Visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com for more information on the
Volvo for life Awards and to view hundreds of hero stories, including
this year's finalists.
Contact: Peggy Bell, Haberman & Associates, 612-372-6463,
Sören Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, 949-341-6719,
