Oakley Partners With 'Talk About Curing Autism' (TACA)

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakley, Inc. today announced that it has partnered with Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), an organization that supports, empowers and educates families living with autism. Oakley has created unique renditions of two of its popular eyewear designs and will donate $20 to TACA with each sale of these special editions.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100202/LA47929-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100202/LA47929-b)

"We are honored to team with TACA and play a part in spreading the message of hope," said Pat McIlvain, Oakley's Vice President of Global Sports Marketing. "These new TACA special editions will fuel awareness, and we are proud to contribute $20 from each sale to assist in supporting TACA's ongoing mission to help children with autism reach their true potential," McIlvain concluded.

"Corporations like Oakley are a wonderful gift to TACA and the families we serve," said TACA Executive Director Lisa Ackerman. "Oakley brings a powerful influence to foster awareness and visibility of autism, and to aid our mission to help a community in great need. We are grateful for this support, and for friends like Oakley," Ackerman concluded.

One in every 91 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Worldwide statistics are thought to be just as significant. TACA believes that with appropriate medical interventions, traditional therapies and support services, many children with autism can greatly improve and some can recover. With its website and support team, TACA is taking the message of hope where help is needed, bringing crucial information on the best practices for treating autism spectrum disorder.

The new TACA Oakley Fuel Cell™ and TACA Oakley Ravishing® eyewear are highlighted with the art of a puzzle motif, signifying that the puzzle of autism can be solved. The multicolored design highlights the frame stems and is also featured on the included Microclear™ bag, added for lens cleaning and frame storage. Each sunglass package also includes a puzzle piece with an attached wearable pin in the shape of the TACA logo.

Oakley Ravishing blends beauty with self-assured style in a statement of sophistication with uniquely feminine geometry. Oakley Fuel Cell is a men's frame in a streetwise design that matches confident contours with an authentic look of originality. Both come with Oakley's unrivaled High Definition Optics® (HDO®) and meet all ANSI Z87.1 standards for clarity and impact resistance. These comfortably lightweight frames are made of durable O Matter® and feature pure Plutonite® lenses that filter out 100% of all UV.

Visit www.oakley.com to learn more about the company's new TACA special edition eyewear. Visit www.tacanow.org for more information about TACA.

About Oakley, Inc.

Established in 1975 and headquartered in Southern California, Oakley is one of the leading sports brands in the world. The holder of more than 600 patents, Oakley is continually seeking problems, solving them with inventions and wrapping those inventions in art. This philosophy has made Oakley one of the most iconic and inimitable brands on the market, with innovations that world-class athletes around the globe depend on to compete at the highest level possible. Oakley is famed for its insuperable lens technologies such as High Definition Optics® (HDO®) which is incorporated into all Oakley sun and prescription eyewear, and goggles. Oakley has extended its leadership position as the world's leading sports eyewear brand into apparel, footwear and accessories collections. Laser focused on the consumer, Oakley has both men's and women's product lines that target Sports Performance, Active and Lifestyle consumers. Oakley is a subsidiary of Luxottica Group (NYSE: LUX; MTA: LUX). Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.

About TACA

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is a national organization, headquartered in Costa Mesa California, dedicated to providing information, resources, and support to families affected by autism. (TACA) provides support, education and information, and resources to more than 15,000 families in the U.S. who are touched by autism. Over 95 percent of TACA's services are provided at no charge. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families with professional assistance and serves to bridge the gap between diagnosis and effective treatment. Further information about Talk About Curing Autism and resources for families living with autism can be found at www.tacanow.org.

SOURCE Oakley, Inc.