The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Joe Maddon as the fourth Lightning Community Hero this season during the first period of Monday's game against the Nashville Predators. Maddon, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, will donate the money to the Homeless Empowerment Program, Tampa Salvation Army, Metropolitan Ministries, St. Vincent de Paul Cares and the Gathering of Women Food Pantry.
Maddon fully embraced the Tampa Bay community ever since he was hired as the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006 and continues to do so even though he currently manages the Los Angeles Angels. Over the past 14 holiday seasons, Maddon has partnered with local non-profits to host “Thanksmas,” personally cooking, serving and delivering delicious meals for thousands around the Tampa Bay Area.
In 2015, Joe and his wife Jaye created the Respect 90 Foundation, an organization that provides children and families in the Tampa Bay area opportunities to develop better lives through sports, academics and community involvement.
Maddon is the 415th 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 Monday's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $21.7 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
Photo Courtesy: Tampa Bay Lightning