Optical Women’s Association Auctions Coach Vespa on eBay

MINNEAPOLIS, March 9, 2005 – The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) today announces it will auction a Coach custom-designed Vespa on eBay beginning March 12. Proceeds from the sale of the Vespa will benefit the OWA’s educational and professional training programs.

Vespa motorized scooters are popular for those looking for an alternate mode of transportation. This special edition Vespa, custom-made and designed by Coach, comes with matching his-and-hers sunglasses.

Marchon Eyewear donated the Vespa to the OWA as part of its ongoing commitment to the group and their activities. The OWA will use the profits to fund its new program, Professional Optical Women Workshops (POWW). The group plans to launch POWW during September’s International Vision Expo West in Las Vegas. The new program will feature well-known speakers and personalized training for OWA members.

The Vespa will be on display at the OWA’s annual cocktail and award reception on Friday, March 11, during the weekend of International Vision Expo in New York. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Marchon Eyewear Showroom located at 8 West 40th Street. Both OWA members and non-members are invited to this event.

For more information about this auction or other OWA activities, please visit www.opticalwomen.com or send an email to owa@opticalwomen.com.