Tampa Bay Lightning Donates to Area Urban Leagues

TAMPA BAY - In honor and celebration of Juneteenth, the Tampa Bay Lightning honored Urban League of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Urban League as the Lightning Community Heroes this evening during the first period of tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Urban League of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Urban League shared a $100,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil.  

Diversity is the essence of the American Dream. Both the Urban League of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Urban League work to help realize that dream, increasing social inclusion, educational opportunities and economic prosperity in African American communities. The work they do is imperative to close the racial gap. They both offer a wide array of different support services to the African American community to help them get ahead, both personally and professionally.  

The grant tonight will be used to support Urban League of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Urban League to continue to fulfill their missions. Urban League of Hillsborough County plans to use the funds to support and expand some of their current programming to continue expanding their reach to African American communities throughout the county. Pinellas County Urban League's Economic Development Division will leverage the grant to support 15 families in the St. Petersburg area. Over the next year these 15 families will participate in individual and group sessions, participate in career training and certification programs, build small businesses, identify career paths, and learn ways to reduce stress and anxiety.  

Urban League of Hillsborough County and Pinellas County Urban League became the 501st Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through tonight's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $26.2 million to more than 600 unique nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.  

To get more information, please read the above press release here.