IMG_9028

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Ellen Franz Snelling as the Lightning Community Hero this evening during the first period of tonight's game against the Arizona Coyotes. Snelling, 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 Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance (HCADA).

Snelling is a passionate and vocal substance abuse prevention advocate who works tirelessly to shield the Tampa Bay community and its families from the pain and heartache of drug abuse, addiction, and overdose. Over the past 18 years, Snelling has devoted countless hours to the fight against drug abuse and addiction. Snelling has given time and energy to many initiatives and non-profits throughout Tampa, including HCADA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the DEA's Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
The grant tonight will enable HCADA to further their mission to plan and implement to prevent and reduce youth and adult substance abuse by promoting healthy communities through education, collaboration and advocacy by funding trainings for their volunteers and staff and expand education on drug and alcohol abuse throughout the community. Snelling is a passionate and vocal advocate for substance abuse prevention who has made a difference in countless lives throughout the Tampa Bay area.
Snelling becomes the 455th 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 $23.8 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.