Finkel is a passionate advocate for helping those in need, specifically in the Tampa Bay community. Finkel has invested over 1,000 volunteer hours leading weekly women's groups at the Tampa Crossroads, spent 16 years as a mentor for at-risk youth at Lanier Elementary and served as a Trinity Café board member for nine years. With the help of a colleague, Finkel created the Pay It Forward Fund at the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, which helps to eliminate or reduce financial burdens for those in need.
Most recently, Finkel served on the due diligence committee of the board of directors for Trinity Café. He dedicated over 100 hours reviewing contracts for the organization's successful merger with Feeding Tampa Bay. In turn, Finkel was invited to join Feeding Tampa Bay's board and serves on the Finance, Capital and Trinity Café committees.
Finkel becomes the 382nd 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 this evening's game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $20 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Vinik's announced that the community hero program will give away another $10-million over the next five seasons.
