A vote for resident is a vote for the Valley

A 19-year-old Carson Valley resident was asked by Volvo Cars of North America if he wanted to be entered in a contest where the winner receives up to $50,000 for their community.

"They contacted me. It was a pleasant surprise," said Jeff Lambin about being a contestant in the auto maker's "Volvo for Life" contest.

Lambin is one of five people from Nevada and at least 250 people from around the United States who were chosen by Volvo because they made a difference in their communities and are now given the chance to do more for their communities with awards of $25,000 or $50,000. Besides cash, the grand prize winner also receives a Volvo automobile for life.

The way for Lambin and his community to win is by popular vote at www.volvoforlife.com. The last day to vote is Feb. 4. Awards are announced April 5.

From an early age, Lambin was active in the Valley through Boy Scouts, 4-H and his church. For his Eagle Scout project in 2001 Lambin created Kids Karts.

"I built two and expanded," he said. "They're big, blue wooden carts filled with crafts and games so kids in the hospital have something to do."

Lambin said the idea behind the scouting project came from his own brother's asthma and subsequent hospital visits. He was interviewed by Channel 2 News Jan. 24 about the Volvo for Life contest at St. Mary's Hospital, one of the sites where a Kids Kart is installed.

Kids Karts are also in Reno at Renown Health and the Ronald McDonald House, Carson-Tahoe Hospital, South Lyon Medical in Yerington and Churchill Community Hospital in Fallon.

Lambin said he wasn't positive where he would invest the money won from Volvo's contest, but he was going to look into starting a chapter of Reading is Fundamental.

"It would go straight to our community," Lambin said. "Winning the contest would be the perfect way to get Reading is Fundamental going."

For information about Volvo for Life or to vote for Jeff Lambin, go to www.volvoforlifeawards.com.