Irvine, Calif, US: An Oregon woman running a computer recycling center for disadvantaged communities is named National Hero Award Semifinalist, one of forty selected.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States generated 2.6 million tons of electronic waste in 2005, only 12.6 percent of which was recycled. However Lorraine Kerwood has set out to improve this statistic through her computer recycling and distribution center, NextStep.
NextStep benefits the environment by reducing electronic waste and brings refurbished computers to disadvantaged communities and Kerwood has been identified as one of the nation's top 40 heroes. She 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 heroes across America.
Beginning today, the American public can visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/ and vote for Kerwood. 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.
Kerwood taught herself how to rebuild computers, which she then gave to people who couldn't afford them. With her new skill set while at Oregon University, and her passion for helping the disadvantaged, Kerwood established NextStep, a nonprofit computer-recycling center.
NextStep focuses on recycling computer hardware and other electronics, keeps hazardous waste out of the environment and has placed 11,000 computers in disadvantaged communities in the United States and abroad.
More than 500 computers have been shipped to rural Guatemalan schools, orphanages and non-governmental organizations drawing the attention of corporate, government and academic institutions.
Tulane University studied NextStep's computer labs built in partnership with rural Mayan communities and found that the labs improved the lives of more than 5,000 Guatemalan children.
NextStep has recycled more than 800 tons of waste and refurbished more than 11,000 electronic devices while importantly ensuring that many disadvantaged children today get opportunities otherwise not afforded to them, giving both the children and the environment a boost.
The Volvo for life Awards
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. "
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 win the big car prize at the award ceremony in New York City on March 19, 2008.
Further information
For further information visit http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/. A Spanish version of the site can also be accessed at this address.
[This article is adapted from a press release from PRNewswire with an original source of Volvo Cars of North America]