Graham and Simon are two people who combined forces to create a dynamic duo for maximum impact in the Tampa Bay Area. For years, Andrea and Geoff have made it their priority to make the lives of children and adults around the community a better place to live. They've devoted decades of selfless volunteerism across Tampa Bay. From the arts, to business, to AIDS awareness, with every cause they have touched, they've transformed small acts of kindness into big wins for the community.
Graham's volunteered countless hours at Stageworks Theatre, using the power of theatre to effect social change, while helping youth learn to express themselves in a powerful way. Simon has used his leadership role at the Florida Council on Economic Education to promote personal finance, economics and business education for students across the state. The have jointly committed to dozens of other Tampa Bay Area non-profits.
Graham and Simon become the 426th Lightning Community Heroes 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 $22.25 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.
