Franzbleau works tirelessly to save at-risk youth in Tampa Bay from illiteracy. He has witnessed firsthand the widening reading achievement gap between low-income elementary school students and their more affluent peers. Franzbleau understands how critical it is for young students to master reading by the 3rd grade; most students who don't falter later on and end up dropping out before earning their high school diploma. Franzbleau believes reading is the foundation of all we can achieve, and he uses his love of children and music to narrow the reading achievement gap.
The grant tonight will be used to expand the Family Literacy Project (FLiP). FLiP is an in-home, individualized, e-learning program that helps struggling readers reach grade-level proficiency before they fall off track. Eligible families are loaned technology at no charge in order to extend the school day in an innovative and rewarding way. FLiP sessions are 12 weeks, and the grant will allow Sing Our and Read to reach 100 struggling young readers and change their lives forever.
Franzbleau became the 483rd 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 $25.25 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.
