The Tampa Bay Lightning are proud to announce the first programs to receive support as a part of Patch with a Purpose, announced on Tuesday, January 7th’s Patch with a Purpose Night. As the Official Health and Wellness Partner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, AdventHealth will focus its “Patch with a Purpose” contributions on initiatives aimed at improving health and wellness outcomes across the region. A $50,000 contribution will support a free healthcare clinic in East Tampa, providing services for individuals and families who lack access to care, and an additional $50,000 contribution will be directed toward programs that offer free or discounted health insurance options for underserved populations across Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA will use it’s “Patch with a Purpose” funding across several programs, including the newly relaunched Thriver’s Club, a free program for young cancer survivors aged 6-17. The 12-week initiative provides weekly, low-impact fitness sessions designed to help children rebuild strength, endurance and coordination while reducing treatment-related fatigue.

At the start of the 2024-25 season, the Lightning announced the launch of the “Patch with a Purpose” program, featuring the National Hockey League’s first-ever purpose-driven jersey patch with a $1 million Club donation. In a commitment to extend the organization’s impact beyond the ice and into the Tampa Bay community, the program features the Lightning pledging more than $1 million to support local, non-profit organizations in the initial five years of the program. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and AdventHealth are the founding partners of the “Patch with a Purpose” program and integral to the Bay Area community giving initiatives.