IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1999, a Lewiston, N.Y. couple received a call that every parent dreads-their 18-year-old daughter had been brutally raped at college. After enduring a lengthy, drawn-out trial with her daughter in Boston, Stacey Branchini established an organization to provide financial support to rape survivors and their families unable to afford housing and airfare for trials more than 60 miles from home. Now, Branchini 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 Branchini. 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 the fall of 1999, Tom and Stacey Branchini's daughter, Alexa, began her freshman year of college at Boston University. Within ten days of starting classes, Alexa was brutally raped at knifepoint in her dormitory. She immediately reported the attack to the police, who apprehended the rapist before he left campus. But as one of the few rape victims whose ordeal actually resulted in a trial and the conviction of her assailant, Alexa would soon learn that in fact her ordeal had just begun.
After a year and half of legal maneuvering, Alexa and her parents spent twenty-seven days in Boston for the trial. Alexa's attacker was sentenced to forty-five years in prison without parole. In May 2003, Stacey and Tom established an organization -- It Happened to Alexa Foundation, Inc. (IHTAF) -- to help other rape survivors and their extended networks of support (family, friends, or professionals) through the trauma. IHTAF is the only organization in the United States established expressly to provide financial aid so that the family and supporters of rape and sexual assault survivors can attend the criminal trials of their attackers. Currently, IHTAF pays up to three thousand dollars in travel-related expenses, so that no one will have to endure the difficulty of a trial without assistance.
"The foundation has helped more than 250 families and victims over the past four and a half years, and a Volvo for life Award would allow us to help so many more," Branchini said. "Our goal is to help victims and their families experiencing financial difficulty through the horrors of a trial and recovery. The more people we can do that for, the better."
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 Branchini 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.