Here is an example of a truly coordinated effort. Congratulations to all parties involved.

Thanks to Joe Haggerty and his Big Bad Blog at WEEI.com. The full article can be found at http://bigbadblog.weei.com/, and is copied below.

Team USA invitees donate youth hockey equipment

As part of the Team USA Olympic hockey team orientation camp taking place in Woodridge, Ill., this week, each of the 34 National Hockey League players attending attending the camp this week will donate 15 sets of OneGoal starter equipment to a lucky youth hockey organization of their choice. The equipment was purchased by the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), through its Goals & Dreams fund, in cooperation with USA Hockey and OneGoal.

As part of the Tuesday afternoon announcement at the orientation camp, 35 children had the opportunity to use OneGoal equipment and play hockey for the first time with a group of Olympic hopeful heroes.

“We’d like to thank the NHLPA for its gift of equipment to our local programs,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “Their generosity helps further opportunities for young children to try our great sport without financial duress.”

“NHLPA members are very proud to be involved with this initiative,” said Paul Kelly, NHLPA executive director. “The players’ Goals & Dreams program is focused on providing future generations with the opportunity to play the great game of hockey, so this is a fitting collaboration with OneGoal and USA Hockey.”

Listed below are the NHL players attending USA Hockey’s Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp and the programs they’ve designated to receive their 15 sets of OneGoal starter equipment — including Bruins players Phil Kessel and Tim Thomas. Both B’s players donated the hockey equipment to youth organizations from their hometown stomping grounds with Kessel donating to the Madison Capitals in Madison, Wi., and Thomas donating his share of hockey stuff to the Flint Icelanders of Flint, Mi.

Ron Hainsey, Jonathan Quick and Chris Drury all donated hockey equipment to younth hockey groups in Connecticut, and Massachusetts native and BU alum Ryan Whitney donated his allottment of equipment to South Boston Youth Hockey.

ABOUT THE NHLPA’S GOALS & DREAMS FUND

In 1999, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) launched the Goals & Dreams fund as a way for the players to give something back to the game they love. The players’ program has donated full sets of hockey equipment to more than 13,000 economically disadvantaged children in 19 countries and assisted with upgrades and the building of hundreds of arenas world-wide. To date, Goals & Dreams has donated more than $17-million to grassroots hockey programs around the world making it the largest program of its kind. For more information on the NHLPA and the Goals & Dreams fund, visit www.nhlpa.com.

ABOUT ONEGOAL

OneGoal is a nonprofit organization founded by the major hockey equipment manufacturers, with support from USA Hockey, the NHL, the NHLPA, Hockey Canada and the NHL Alumni Association. Its goal is to positively affect the growth of hockey, particularly at entry level ages (four-to-eight year-olds). OneGoal seeks to accomplish its goals through media campaigns that provide visibility and key messaging for hockey and also through its OneGoal starter equipment program.

Each set of starter equipment includes a helmet with face shield, chest protector, elbow pads, gloves, pants and shin pads. Youth organizations and rinks are able to purchase the OneGoal starter equipment sets at a minimal cost and lend them to prospective entry level players to significantly reduce the cost to try the sport. For more information, visit OneGoal.com.

(The list of players and the organizations they are donating to can be found at http://bigbadblog.weei.com/) 8/18/09.