CALIFORNIA WWW.CALISAFE.ORG SAFE SCHOOLS JOINS VOLVO AWARD FINALISTS IN NEW YORK!

California Safe Schools (Non-profit) Executive Director Named One Of Nation's Top Hometown Heroes <!--break--> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /><br />California Safe Schools Executive Director Named One Of Nation's Top Hometown Heroes <br /><br />Robina Suwol named a finalist in the Third Annual Volvo for life Award for <br />advocating policies to protect school children from harmful chemicals <br /><br />Celebrity Judges - Including Hank Aaron and Paul Newman Will Select and <br />Announce Winners at March 24 Volvo for Life Awards Ceremony in Times Square; <br /><br />One Hero Will Receive a Volvo Car for Life <br /><br />Van Nuys, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2005) - Robina Suwol, a Van Nuys mother, who <br />after seeing her children enter their school through a toxic cloud of <br />pesticide spray, created California Safe Schools, an organization that put <br />in place the most stringent pesticide policy in the nation for schools, has <br />been named a finalist in the Third Annual Volvo for life Awards. As a finalist, she is guaranteed to receive a $25,000 charitable contribution, <br />with a chance to receive a $50,000 donation and a Volvo every three years <br />for life. <br /><br />The Volvo for life Awards is the nation's largest search for and celebration of everyday heroes, with Volvo Cars of North America providing $1 million <br />annually in awards and contributions. <br /><br />The distinguished judges' panel, including the experts on care, conscience <br />and character Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul <br />Newman, Dr. Sally Ride, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, will now review Suwol and <br />eight other finalists to select the program's top three winners in the <br />categories of safety, environment and quality of life. <br /><br />In 1998, Robina watched her sons walk through a white cloud near the entrance of their school, where the school gardener, dressed in full <br />protective gear, was spraying pesticide. Suwol's youngest son had a severe asthma attack, causing Suwol to take action. She quickly contacted medical <br />experts, environmentalists, scientists and experts to learn more about <br />safer, more effective methods of using of chemicals around school children. <br />She presented her findings to the Los Angeles Unified School District, and <br />with full support, she brought together parents, physicians, <br />environmentalists and the county health department, among other <br />stakeholders, to form California Safe Schools. <br /><br />The organization persuaded the school district - the second largest in the <br />country - to adopt the &quot;most stringent school pesticide policy in the <br />nation.&quot; The policy was the first in the United States to embrace the <br />&quot;precautionary principle&quot; and &quot;Parents' Right to Know&quot; about chemicals being <br />used in or around school campuses. The policy has benefited the nearly one <br />million students, 60,000 teachers and thousands of staff members in the <br />district, as well as the health and well- being of all Californians. In <br />fact, the policy led to the California Healthy Schools Act of 2000, which <br />recommends school districts develop Integrated Pest Management Policies. And <br />today, the policy is being replicated nationally. <br /><br />This year's Volvo program, launched in June 2004, called for individuals <br />nationwide to nominate a hometown hero at <a href="http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com</font></u></a> <br />. Volvo received 4,272 nominations representing all 50 states. <br /><br />Volvo will fly the three category winners and six remaining finalists to New <br />York for the Volvo for life Awards Times Square Studios, Ltd. ceremony on <br />March 24, 2005. At the event, Volvo and program judges will present each <br />winner with a $50,000 contribution to the charity of his or her choice. In <br />addition, they will announce the program's grand winner, who will receive a <br />new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life and the <br />distinction of &quot;America's Greatest Hometown Hero.&quot; The six remaining <br />finalists will each receive a donation of $25,000 to the charities of their <br />choice. <br /><br />&quot;Each year with the Volvo for life Awards, we seek to not only recognize <br />everyday heroes, but to likewise inspire others to do good in their <br />communities,&quot; said Vic Doolan, president and chief executive officer of <br />Volvo Cars of North America. &quot;While Suwol and the other finalists' stories <br />are unique, they share a passion for creating change within their <br />communities that will have lasting impacts for generations to come.&quot; <br /><br /><br />Contact: Carol Schuler, Haberman &amp; Associates, 612-338-3900, <br /><a href="mailto:carol@habermaninc.com"><u><font color="#0000ff">carol@habermaninc.com</font></u></a> . <br /><br />Soren Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, 949-341-6719, <br /><a href="mailto:sjohan44@volvocars.com"><u><font color="#0000ff">sjohan44@volvocars.com</font></u></a>. <br /><br />Media: For photos and more information on the Volvo for Life Awards: <br /><a href="http://www.volvocars-pr.com/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.volvocars-pr.com</font></u></a>. <br /><br />-- <br />Carol Schuler <br />Haberman &amp; Associates, Inc. <br />

<p>California Safe Schools (Non-profit) Executive Director Named One Of Nation's Top Hometown Heroes</p> <!--break--><p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </p> <p>California Safe Schools Executive Director Named One Of Nation's Top Hometown Heroes </p> <p>Robina Suwol named a finalist in the Third Annual Volvo for life Award for <br />advocating policies to protect school children from harmful chemicals </p> <p>Celebrity Judges - Including Hank Aaron and Paul Newman Will Select and <br />Announce Winners at March 24 Volvo for Life Awards Ceremony in Times Square; </p> <p>One Hero Will Receive a Volvo Car for Life </p> <p>Van Nuys, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2005) - Robina Suwol, a Van Nuys mother, who <br />after seeing her children enter their school through a toxic cloud of <br />pesticide spray, created California Safe Schools, an organization that put <br />in place the most stringent pesticide policy in the nation for schools, has <br />been named a finalist in the Third Annual Volvo for life Awards. As a finalist, she is guaranteed to receive a $25,000 charitable contribution, <br />with a chance to receive a $50,000 donation and a Volvo every three years <br />for life. </p> <p>The Volvo for life Awards is the nation's largest search for and celebration of everyday heroes, with Volvo Cars of North America providing $1 million <br />annually in awards and contributions. </p> <p>The distinguished judges' panel, including the experts on care, conscience <br />and character Hank Aaron, Bill Bradley, Caroline Kennedy, Maya Lin, Paul <br />Newman, Dr. Sally Ride, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, will now review Suwol and <br />eight other finalists to select the program's top three winners in the <br />categories of safety, environment and quality of life. </p> <p>In 1998, Robina watched her sons walk through a white cloud near the entrance of their school, where the school gardener, dressed in full <br />protective gear, was spraying pesticide. Suwol's youngest son had a severe asthma attack, causing Suwol to take action. She quickly contacted medical <br />experts, environmentalists, scientists and experts to learn more about <br />safer, more effective methods of using of chemicals around school children. <br />She presented her findings to the Los Angeles Unified School District, and <br />with full support, she brought together parents, physicians, <br />environmentalists and the county health department, among other <br />stakeholders, to form California Safe Schools. </p> <p>The organization persuaded the school district - the second largest in the <br />country - to adopt the "most stringent school pesticide policy in the <br />nation." The policy was the first in the United States to embrace the <br />"precautionary principle" and "Parents' Right to Know" about chemicals being <br />used in or around school campuses. The policy has benefited the nearly one <br />million students, 60,000 teachers and thousands of staff members in the <br />district, as well as the health and well- being of all Californians. In <br />fact, the policy led to the California Healthy Schools Act of 2000, which <br />recommends school districts develop Integrated Pest Management Policies. And <br />today, the policy is being replicated nationally. </p> <p>This year's Volvo program, launched in June 2004, called for individuals <br />nationwide to nominate a hometown hero at <a href="http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com</font></u></a> <br />. Volvo received 4,272 nominations representing all 50 states. </p> <p>Volvo will fly the three category winners and six remaining finalists to New <br />York for the Volvo for life Awards Times Square Studios, Ltd. ceremony on <br />March 24, 2005. At the event, Volvo and program judges will present each <br />winner with a $50,000 contribution to the charity of his or her choice. In <br />addition, they will announce the program's grand winner, who will receive a <br />new Volvo car every three years for the rest of his or her life and the <br />distinction of "America's Greatest Hometown Hero." The six remaining <br />finalists will each receive a donation of $25,000 to the charities of their <br />choice. </p> <p>"Each year with the Volvo for life Awards, we seek to not only recognize <br />everyday heroes, but to likewise inspire others to do good in their <br />communities," said Vic Doolan, president and chief executive officer of <br />Volvo Cars of North America. "While Suwol and the other finalists' stories <br />are unique, they share a passion for creating change within their <br />communities that will have lasting impacts for generations to come." </p> <p>Contact: Carol Schuler, Haberman &amp; Associates, 612-338-3900, <br /><a href="mailto:carol@habermaninc.com"><u><font color="#0000ff">carol@habermaninc.com</font></u></a> . </p> <p>Soren Johansson, Volvo Cars of North America, 949-341-6719, <br /><a href="mailto:sjohan44@volvocars.com"><u><font color="#0000ff">sjohan44@volvocars.com</font></u></a>. </p> <p>Media: For photos and more information on the Volvo for Life Awards: <br /><a href="http://www.volvocars-pr.com/"><u><font color="#0000ff">http://www.volvocars-pr.com</font></u></a>. </p> <p>-- <br />Carol Schuler <br />Haberman &amp; Associates, Inc. </p>