Lightning pledge $1 million to Hurricane Milton relief, recovery efforts

TAMPA — The Lightning Foundation on Tuesday pledged $1 million toward relief and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Milton.

The money is in addition to the $2 million the organization donated and the $150,000 team captain Victor Hedman and his wife, Sanna, contributed following Helene.

The Lightning also announced several fan-supported initiatives to benefit those in the Tampa Bay area affected by the hurricanes:

• From Tuesday’s home opener through Dec. 29, the Lightning Foundation will match all donation and raffle-ticket sales for its #TampaBayStrong 50/50 raffle, guaranteeing a minimum $500,000 prize to the winner. If the raffle total surpasses $1 million before Dec. 29, it will continue to raise more money. Fans can purchase raffle tickets at home games or at bolts5050.com.

• Lightning players will wear #TampaBayStrong helmet decals and #TampaBayStrong-branded performance T-shirts that will be available for sale at Amalie Arena retail locations and at TampaBaySports.com. All proceeds from the shirt sales will go to hurricane relief.

• On Friday, team staff members and representatives will volunteer throughout the area, visiting Feeding Tampa Bay from 8 a.m. to noon, Metropolitan Ministries from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and First Tee YMCA-Rogers Park from 9-11.

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