IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- When Jan Klippert became aware of the devastating amount of trash and debris washing up on the coastline of Olympic National Park, he brought his community together to protect the national treasure. Klippert has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes and is now 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 Klippert. 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.
A fateful hike along a trash-littered coastline in Washington's Olympic National Park 10 years ago stirred Jan Klippert to action. Klippert, a retired public works employee and avid outdoorsman, organized a massive cleanup effort involving nearly 300 volunteers scouring a 60-mile stretch of Pacific shoreline. In April 2000, with the help of the National Park Service, a marine sanctuary and a local Native American tribe, volunteers hauled away 18 tons of styrofoam, plastic bottles and other garbage.
Today, the Olympic Coast Cleanup is an annual event, drawing hundreds of volunteers who patrol more than 200 miles of Washington coastline. Last year alone, 751 registered volunteers removed more than 20 tons of trash from the beaches. Klippert's effort has earned national praise and become a boon to the community, bringing together people from all walks of life, including several of the area's Native American tribes.
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 Klippert 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.