CooperVision Awards an Additional $25,000 in Grant Funding to Help Teen Athletes Excel in Sports

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CooperVision, a leading contact lens manufacturer announced today the second round of winners of $25,000 in Gear Up Grant funding. The Gear Up Grant program was established earlier this year as part of the company's Contact Sports initiative, which continues to help young athletes and teams across North America get the athletic equipment they need to succeed, while promoting the importance of eye health.

CooperVision is excited to announce the 10 winners of the second round of Gear Up Grants:

• AL Stanback Girls Volleyball Team, Hillsborough, N.C.
• Club Olympia Judo, Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Crested Butte Junior Nordic Ski Team, Crested Butte, Colo.
• Grandview High School Swim Team, Columbus, Ohio
• Glades Day School Football Team, Belle Glade, Fla.
• La Porte Midget Cheer Team, LaPorte, Ind.
• Millennium High School Baseball Team, Tracy, Calif.
• Renaissance Magnet High School Weightlifting Program for Self-Esteem, Meridian, Idaho
• Rock Hill High School Boys Basketball Team, Catawba, S.C.
• Whitewater Alberta Slalom Canoe/Kayak Team, Calgary, Alberta

The 10 winning teams will each receive $2,500 in grant funds and each athlete on the team who needs corrective lenses will receive a one year supply of CooperVision contact lenses.

Sports offer more than just physical activity – they are a source of confidence and personal strength. With teen participation in sports increasing each year, CooperVision is proud to continue its work to support teens in their athletic ambition, while raising awareness of the importance of vision health.

"CooperVision is excited to see the positive impact of both the grant money and contacts on our winning teams," said Dennis Murphy, president, the Americas. "We wish them the best."

CooperVision launched the second round of the Gear Up Grants program this past July as part of the Contact Sports initiative to help teens gear up for sports and teach them about the relationship between healthy vision and sports performance. From July 26 through September 30, sports teams and individual athletes between the ages of 13 and 19 submitted their stories at www.mycontactsports.com. A total of 20 finalists were selected by CooperVision. Judging criteria was based on the creativity and originality of the submission, the potential impact of the grant, needs of the team or athlete and how well the entries fit the contest theme. Following an 8-week public voting period, the 10 winners were selected by their peers. The first round of Gear Up Grants were awarded in September.

About CooperVision

CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. Dedicated to enhancing the contact lens experience for practitioners and patients, CooperVision specializes in lenses for astigmatism, presbyopia, and ocular dryness. CooperVision manufactures a full array of monthly, two-week, and daily disposable contact lenses featuring advanced materials and optics. For more information, visit www.coopervision.com.

Contact lenses are medical devices and can only be prescribed and dispensed by a licensed eye care professional.

SOURCE CooperVision