Harris, as chairman of the Pinellas Education Foundation, has been an instrumental leader focused on building better student outcomes in partnership with the Pinellas County School District. Working with a coalition of business and community leaders, Charley works with the education foundation board to coalesce philanthropy, corporations and individuals around a common goal of improved student outcomes. The Pinellas Education Foundation under Charley's leadership continues to work in partnership with Pinellas County Schools to further record-high graduation rates and successfully narrow achievement gaps that exist with some student populations.
The grant tonight will be used to support the Pinellas Early Literacy Initiative. This four-year collaboration with Pinellas County Schools will support teachers and leaders who are preparing students to be ready for kindergarten and proficient readers by 3rd grade. By leveraging high quality professional development, student literacy gaps will dissipate more rapidly, ensuring all students receive the education they deserve, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Harris became the 464th 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 $24.3 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2021, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
