This post was created in partnership with Citi®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
U.S. Olympian Julie Chu is teaming up with The USA Hockey Foundation’s Try Hockey for Free Days to help fund free equipment so that kids across the country can experience the excitement of playing hockey for the very first time.
Julie Chu & The USA Hockey Foundation
In 1989, Julie Chu started figure skating lessons. During the lessons, she was far more interested in what the boys were doing – playing ice hockey. So, she asked her parents if she could try ice hockey instead and they agreed. Since she felt that she wasn’t great on the ice, she started slowly, doing small circles around the cones on the ice first. She loved it instantly.
Julie continued to play against the boys until she was 16 years old. She then went on to Harvard, where she became the all-time highest scorer in NCAA History while she was on the Women’s Hockey Team. So far, she has won three Olympic Medals for Team USA.
Julie grew up playing with the boys, now she’s playing with the girls and representing Team USA in the gold medal game.
Julie wants every child who wishes to be able to play hockey. That is why she has teamed up with the Citi to help the US Hockey Foundation.
9 Athletes Helping 9 Programs In Need – Every Step Of The Way
Each Team Citi athlete has teamed up with a US Olympic, Paralympic or community program in need. Citi will be making a $500,000 donation to one of these athletes causes and you can help decide which one gets it.
Choose from…
Alana Nichols & The Team USA Paralympic Champions Fund – They are working to raise money for aspiring US Paralympians.
Billy Demong & Team For Tomorrow – Their goal is to spread Olympic values to future generations.
Dan Jansen & The Olympians For Olympians Relief Fund – Their goal is to help Olympians who are going through tough times.
Erin Hamlin & The USA Luge Slider Search – They are working to discover the next great Luge athletes.
Evan Lysacek & Figure Skating In Harlem – Their goal is to inspire a new generation of figure skaters from urban areas.
Julie Chu & The USA Hockey Foundation – This partnership supports giving kids the chance to try ice hockey for free.
Picabo Street & The Team USA Stay On The Slopes Initiative – Supports injury prevention for skiers and snowboarders.
Rico Roman & Operation Comfort – Their goal is to give back to our country’s veterans.
Ted Ligety & Youth Enrichment Services – Their goal is to give urban youth the chance to ski and snowboard.
To vote for which athlete’s cause you think Citi should support, be sure to visit the Citi® Every Step of the Way® page to make your vote.
That’s great. My kids aren’t all that into sports – well, except karate which they both do.
I love this campaign by Citi and how they got all the athletes involved. I love when they support great causes.
I like seeing large company’s support a good cause. And the “girl’s love Gold” is a great ad. LOL
I love to see athletes who are not only great role models, but also give back to the community! These Olympians are truly winners!
I love stories like this. What a great person and athlete!
I would love to give my boys the chance to at least try hockey out. It is a very expensive sport. It is nice to hear that athletes out there are willing to help kids achieve their goals
It’s nice to see a large company partnering to help kids in the communities. So many kids that wouldn’t have had the chance to play now can.
That’s a great program! I live in Minnesota and hockey is HUGE here, but it can be really expensive to participate.
I love hearing about the Olympians. I knew a girl who played hockey amazingly, it was always funny to see her all dressed up girl then get all decked out in hockey gear but she LOVED it. Maybe my sons will show interest someday.
That’s an inspriring story, and it’s so great to see the athletes and large corps partnering together for such a great cause. I know the kids will love it.
That’s a nice donation amount! Good for Citi for being so involved!
I haven’t been watching the Olympics much, but I heard great things about Julie! Go USA!
we’ve had so much fun watching the Olympics again this year. talking with my kids about how people “get to ” the Olympics has been a really interesting conversation this year!
I love it when athletes help give back to children. Sports can be a very important part of life, and it’s good that kids are getting to at least try out hockey!
So many cool programs! I had never heard of all of them!
Wow, such a marvelous donation! The Olympians For Olympians Relief Fund sounds great!
I love this. This is such a fantastic program.
I love seeing all the good Olympians are doing. Thank you for sharing.
What a great program! We have been busy enjoying the Olympics here!
what an awesome cause! I always wanted to play hockey as a child so this is definitely something I could get behind.
This is an awesome program! I love it when athletes give back.
What a great act of generosity from Julie. The program will make a difference in the lives of kids… awed!
Love hearing about all these programs. My boys are very much into sports.
Olympics are awesome!! I love everything they do!!
I love to read about these programs!
Thankful that there are some athletes who are not only great role models, but also give back to the community! These Olympians are truly winners!
Very cool! I voted for Luge because Erin Hamlin is a local girl, but all of these are great causes.
Great!! I am a hockey mom and hockey wife. I spend 5 to 6 days on the ice and my new vehicle purchase is the hockey mobile and had to be able to fit 4 hockey bags at most. Love my hockey family. I spend most days in hockey pants and jacket.