For many Canadians, watching and playing sports is an important part of growing up. Hockey in particular is a beloved sport in Canadian communities large and small, from coast to coast, that brings people together. Considered by many to be an esteemed sport, the cost to participate in hockey is too often beyond the means of many youth from economically challenged families or those considered at-risk.

In addition to $1.5 million in sponsorships and donations over the past nine years, TELUS has provided HEROS with tickets to winter sporting events, internal resources to create the first version of the HEROS website and develop the current logo, and continues to offer ongoing media and community investment consultative expertise. TELUS was also the founding sponsor of the Sunshine Coast chapter.

  Our support has helped HEROS to expand its focus and outreach by providing academic assistance to children, mentor and leadership programs for graduates (13 years and above), scholarships for post-secondary studies and job placement assistance.

  "TELUS is delighted to have the chance to provide these kids access to this coveted sport while also empowering them, teaching them valuable life skills, building their self esteem and encouraging their education," says Jill Schnarr, vice president of TELUS Community Investment. "The value the HEROS program brings to these kids is measured in more than just dollars. The feedback we hear from the mentors and the kids who participate in the program is touching and rewarding. Supporting HEROS represents an investment in the future of these kids and our society as a whole."

TELUS looks for opportunities to positively influence the communities where we work, live and play. Our community investment efforts focus on youth and showcasing innovative technology in three areas – arts and culture, education and sport, and health and well-being in our environment. For more information on TELUS’ community investment initiatives, please visit our website.

10 years ago, Investment Advisors with Vancouver's Park Place Branch tapped into CIBC Miracle Day funding to start HEROS (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society), an initiative that brings kids from challenging backgrounds together to play hockey and to learn valuable life skills such as self-esteem, commitment and discipline.

"When we created the program we wanted to give kids from less fortunate circumstances a chance to succeed," says Terron Falk, Vice President, Investment Advisor in the Park Place Branch. "CIBC has supported HEROS as a sponsor since the beginning and I personally have witnessed first hand the change in these kids over the years. I can't imagine a more worthy cause than to help a child turn their life around."

HEROS provides children in economically challenged neighbourhoods an opportunity to learn the game of hockey by providing all equipment and on/off ice instruction. HEROS uses hockey as a catalyst to encourage self-esteem, confidence, responsibility, teamwork and commitment. Program chapters are located across Canada in Vancouver, BC's Sunshine Coast (Gibsons and Sechelt), Calgary, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Toronto (three locations), Montreal, Ottawa (2012) and internationally in Belfast and Dublin.

CIBC Children's Foundation has supported HEROS for the past 13 years, donating $145,000 to the program this year and over $650,000 in total.

HEROS is committed to empowering children through ice hockey, using the game as a catalyst to teach youth the importance of education, self-esteem and life skills training. Since 1999, HEROS has worked with more than 3,200 children to make education enjoyable and help dreams become a reality. Focusing on boys and girls of diverse economic backgrounds throughout Canada, the program provides a positive environment where every child is a HERO. As participants are hand-picked for the program by their teachers, HEROS works closely with schools in Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

"HEROS is pleased to welcome Cooper Tire as a proud supporter," said Norman Flynn, HEROS executive director. "The children involved in HEROS are coming from households that often cannot afford cars or even three square meals per day. We’re thankful that Cooper Tire recognizes these children’s needs and are committed to help."

Chris Ostrander, Cooper Tire's President of North America Tire Operations, added, "Cooper was built in a tight-knit community nearly 100 years ago in Findlay, Ohio. We’re honored to support the HEROS mission of bringing Canadian communities together through volunteerism, teaching self-esteem, teamwork, and leadership to Canadian youth."

Cooper encourages Canadian consumers to contribute to HEROS during the upcoming Take the Money & Ride promotion, August 24 through November 6. Consumers are eligible to receive up to a $75 Visa® Pre-Paid Card when purchasing a new set of four qualifying Cooper tires through participating dealers in Canada, with the option to donate $5 of the reward to the HEROS charity.

Consumers can obtain full terms, conditions and other details, and get an official mail-in form by visiting a local Cooper Tire dealer. Rewards can be tracked at www.coopertirerebates.ca after August 24. Visit www.coopertire.ca for a convenient dealer locator tool to find a local dealer.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Norm Flynn
HEROS
(604) 218-1661
norm@heroshockey.com

Michelle Rehbein
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
(419) 423-1321
mrrehbein@coopertire.com