Equipment donation by 12-year-old makes huge impact

Dylan Gallagher is a typical 12-year-old boy who loves sports, specifically hockey. But Gallagher is aware that not everyone who wants to play hockey can do so because of the cost of equipment. That's why he decided to do something about that.
Dylan, who lives with his family on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, has spent the past few months collecting used hockey equipment and donating it to Ice Hockey in Harlem, which has provided free hockey coaching and games to disadvantaged youth in the city since 1987. He held an equipment drive, and many of his teammates donated items that he gave to Ice Hockey in Harlem after hearing about the program.

"I love seeing the smiles and all the joy on the kids' faces," Dylan said. "I want to let them have an opportunity to have like I did for the future."
The story quickly spread on social media, which is how CCM heard of Dylan's gesture. The company decided to chip in and donate $20,000 worth of new equipment to Ice Hockey in Harlem on Wednesday.
"I was completely shocked because CCM is the biggest company in the world and it's just an honor to have them donate with me today," Dylan said.
The efforts of Dylan and CCM will help hundreds in the community.
"We are so grateful to Dylan Gallagher and CCM for providing us with great new equipment," said John Sanful, executive director of Ice Hockey in Harlem. "It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful and generous the hockey community is. Today's donations by CCM will enable us to sustain our mission to improve the social and academic well-being of the kids in our community, utilizing hockey as the conduit"
Dylan began playing hockey when he was 4. He's a left wing and a New York Rangers fan whose favorite player is Mats Zuccarello. On Wednesday, Dylan got to meet former Rangers forward and current NHL analyst Ron Duguay when the two, along with CCM, presented the equipment to kids at Lasker Rink in Central Park.
"It's impressive when such a thoughtful idea comes from a young person," Duguay said. "Normally it comes from an adult where they've been through a lot of experiences and they've seen a lot, so it's more of a mature idea. But when it comes from a young man of that age, it's obvious he has a caring and giving heart. And what better time than during the holidays to want to find a need somewhere and help someone? Not only are you going to help someone, but I also believe it's satisfying for yourself."
Gallagher's parents were surprised to see how much good has come from their son's act.
"His involvement with Ice Hockey in Harlem began over the summer," his mother Jodi said. "He volunteers every Wednesday, but at the beginning of his volunteering he ran an equipment drive with his hockey team. He created a flyer and told all of his teammates he was doing this and got it all together and brought it over to Ice Hockey in Harlem. From there, it kind of just blossomed. Sheer pride. I don't think there's another word for it."
Added his dad Rich: "He's been playing the game since he was four years old and he loves it and just wants the kids to get an opportunity to play and love the game the way he does. ... We didn't think that we'd have all this equipment behind us being donated."
Duguay noted the increasing cost is one reason many who want to play hockey are unable to.
"I grew up in Canada, and it was so inexpensive back then," Duguay said. "Nowadays, it's very expensive and we who have had the experience of playing, knowing the joy we have gotten from playing, we know that it's a good sport for kids. I like to be able to be a part of something that at least gives the kids an opportunity to try, whether they're doing it as a possible opportunity in the future or for fun.
"Dylan is just a little guy with a big heart."
The second annual CCM Assists program encourages youth teams across North America to do good deeds in their communities throughout the month of December. Five participants who share their stories on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtags #CCMAssists and #Entry will be randomly chosen to win new CCM hockey sticks for their entire team or a team of their choice.
"CCM understands that hockey is a community sport," said Sean Williams, vice president, global marketing and North American Sales for CCM. "We hope that CCM Assists will encourage players to get involved at a local level and pay it forward this holiday season."
Jodi Gallagher said in addition to being a proud mother, she hoped her son's gesture would motivate others to pay it forward and give back in any way that they can.
"It's an amazing feeling," she said. "I think the lesson in all of this and for Dylan is that you can do one small thing and it can make such a big difference in so many other peoples' lives. He did this small equipment drive and now it blossomed, because of one good thing he did.
"If you can learn that at 12 years old, then you've got that for life."