In 1978, Copley's son, Paul, was diagnosed with leukemia. Following his death, and the later death of her husband, Irene found her way to Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in 1988 when she tagged along with her neighbors to work a night shift. Almost immediately, and with no formal training, Irene enthusiastically began to employ her life and professional skills to aid in the many day-to-day needs of the organization. That level of enthusiasm has not slowed over the last 36 years.
At 92 years old, Copley has gone above and beyond by applying her skills and compassion in a way that has built trust and love from her supervisors and fellow volunteers. She is one of the most trusted volunteers at RMH, being placed in charge of bank deposits, meal planning, and overseeing day-to-day operations during the absences of full-time staff members. The care and grace she employs for these responsibilities are part of the reason RMH continues to be a reliable source of optimism for families in need. Even as Copley has entered her 90s and is legally blind, she has found a way to continue her volunteering. Copley comes in every Friday to roll coins and do what she can to keep the books balanced. She believes that an active mind and a busy life are what keep her going.
Copley becomes the 244th 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 $12.35 million to more than 300 different non-profits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. Last summer, the Vinik's announced that the community hero program will give away another $10-million over the next five seasons.
