Nine U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Nine programs in need. A $500,000 donation from Citi. You help decide where it goes with just a click. That’s what Citi’s Every Step of the Way program is all about, in a nutshell. Olympic athletes supporting programs to help others train and become the next Olympic athletes.
This post was created in partnership with Citi®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t follow the Olympics, at least in some capacity. These are the best of the best in the entire world competing on this amazing arena. It’s athleticism at it’s finest, and it’s competition like no other. It’s about doing, being, working your hardest and being the absolute best you can be.
And I, for one, think it’s pretty awesome that those who are at the top of their game are helping others to get to the top of their game, regardless of what that game may be.
Here are the 9 programs in need and the 9 Olympians who are supporting them:
Alana Nichols & The Team USA Paralympic Champions Fund – They are working to raise money for aspiring US Paralympians.
Billy Demong & Team For Tomorrow – Share Olympic values to future generations.
Dan Jansen & The Olympians For Olympians Relief Fund – Helping Olympians who are going through tough times.
Erin Hamlin & The USA Luge Slider Search – Discovering the next Luge athletes.
Evan Lysacek & Figure Skating In Harlem – Inspiring a new generation of figure skaters from urban areas.
Julie Chu & The USA Hockey Foundation – Giving kids a chance to play 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 – Giving back to our country’s veterans.
Ted Ligety & Youth Enrichment Services – Giving city kids the chance to ski and snowboard.
- Consumers can’t award funds directly, rather they are “helping” to award the funds.
- Every sports program has a fundraising goal. Once that goal is met, consumers will not be able to help allocate funds to that program through Citi.com.
- Consumers who are ThankYou® members can redeem their own ThankYou Points for a donation to the sports program of their choice. Any such donation would be in addition to the funds provided by Citi through the Every Step of the Way program.
So, which program will you choose to receive funds?
Amanda Her says
I love it when celebrities and athletes come together to support a great cause! We love the Olympics in my house and we watched a lot of events!
Paige says
I think it’s great when athletes support different charities. Good for them!
Janeane Davis says
This is a great program and it gives ordinary people an opportunity to be part of efforts to make the world better .
Jenn says
I am so impressed by this program! I love the figure skating in Harlem initiative myself.
Scott says
I would choose The Team USA Paralympic Champions Fund. They get very little if any TV coverage, even though some sponsors are there.
Jessica says
I would choose to contribute to the Rico Roman & Operation Comfort. I think that we sometimes forget to recognize those who have fought for our country and served bravely. This sounds like a great way to support the veterans.
Sabrina Radke says
I really love the wide variety of options to support, all seem like great programs! I think I would choose Rico Roman & Operation Comfort – Giving back to our country’s veterans….they hold a special place in my heart.