FINDLAY, Ohio--June 28, 2013: As the end of the school term draws to a close throughout Canada, Cooper Tire has marked the first year of a three-year partnership with Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) by presenting the organization with a $25,000 donation. HEROS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging, motivating and educating children throughout Canada through involvement in hockey. The organization's Executive Director, Norm Flynn, recently joined Cooper Tire's Chris Ostrander, President, North America Tire Operations, at an event to receive the donation.
“Cooper's donation supports the HEROS program in a significant way”
During Cooper's recent consumer rebate event, Take the Money & Ride, Canadians played an important role in the donation, as Cooper encouraged consumers to contribute a portion of their rebate to HEROS, matching each $5 donation dollar for dollar, up to an aggregate of $25,000 in matching donations.
"Cooper is proud to support HEROS' dedication to Canadian communities, providing youth with valuable life skills that will pave the path for their future success," said Ostrander. "Our partnership works so well because the values of Cooper and HEROS align, working toward similar goals of teamwork and education."
Since 2000, HEROS has worked with more than 3,200 children to make their education enjoyable and to help their dreams become a reality. Participants in the program, handpicked from some of Canada's toughest neighborhoods, work with mentors throughout the school year to develop leadership skills and a sound work ethic. With many of the children involved in HEROS coming from households that often cannot afford cars or even three square meals a day, donations to the organization directly fund mentorship training programs as well as the children's hockey equipment.
"Cooper's donation supports the HEROS program in a significant way," said Flynn. "We're able to fund the children's participation, equipment and meals for every program and clinic we host. The values of leadership, teamwork and volunteerism learned in this program will last long after the final school bell rings -- these are life-long lessons."
