COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - With the 2014 Olympic Winter Games straight ahead, and an objective to help strengthen hockey at all levels in the United States, The USA Hockey Foundation has launched its “Paint America Red, White and Blue” fundraising campaign, which runs through the end of the year.

“This is a unique initiative to really celebrate and honor our sport through giving,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey and The USA Hockey Foundation. “We’re out to help give more kids a chance to play this great sport and also assist those that represent our country on their path to what we hope is a gold-medal performance.”

As donations are made, states will be “painted” on a digital map based on how many donations come in from that state. States with 1-10 donations will be painted red; states with 11-25 donations will be painted white; and states with 26 or more donations will be painted blue. On December 31, the end of the campaign, the state with the most donations will be painted gold.
Donations can be made in multiple ways:

• Online at www.usahockeyfoundation.com/paintamerica
• By phone at 719.538.1106
• By sending a text to 41444 with the message PAINT and amount of your pledge

Fans are encouraged to contribute whatever they can and then Tweet to @usahockey (hashtag #PaintAmerica) to share that they’ve contributed and what state they’re from.

The USA Hockey Foundation supports USA Hockey efforts that give opportunities to disabled and disadvantaged youth; help increase participation through a variety of initiatives; enhance the safety of the game; help the U.S. be the best internationally; provide education programs for athletes, coaches, officials and parents; and celebrate the game through commemoration.