Soon, the group found itself attending an alarmingly high number of funerals for residents in their neighborhood and connected the deaths to toxic pollution from local factories.
With this discovery, Bush helped evolve the Newtown Florist Club into a force for environmental justice.
Bush has now 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 www.volvoforlifeawards.com and vote for Bush. 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.
As the Newtown Florist Club's executive director, Bush is leading the charge against the pollution many blame for causing various diseases -- including her own lupus -- through government lobbying, media advocacy and perhaps most importantly, educating young people. Bush and club members use creative and engaging methods to share their message, such as their "Toxic Tours," which give participants an opportunity to learn about and see the impact of industrial pollution in their community.
In recent years, the club's mission has expanded beyond environmental justice to providing summer leadership programs for young women, and helping those with low incomes buy homes in the area, providing a healthy and secure future for their community.
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 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 Bush 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, visit www.volvoforlifeawards.com.
Faye Bush
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/12/204651