Lightning, Tampa Electric Pay Utility Bills Of 31 Veterans

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Electric are partnering for the second year on the Share Program, which will pay the utility bills for 31 veterans during the month of July.

Tampa Crossroads, a nonprofit organization serving the Tampa Bay community since 1977, works closely with the veteran population and is helping to identify potential program recipients.

“Living in Tampa, a community that so greatly supports our nation’s veterans, brings me tremendous pride, as does working at Tampa Crossroads, where we have spent the last decade helping veterans who are experiencing homelessness,” said Tampa Crossroads’ Chief Executive Officer Gwendolyn Green. “With this partnership between TECO and our home team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, we are able to further the work we can do at Tampa Crossroads, relieving our veterans by removing one payment to worry about. We are incredibly thankful for the Lightning and TECO for this opportunity to help our veterans.”

"We are excited to continue our community outreach with our friends and partners at TECO to support those in need throughout Tampa Bay," said Elizabeth Frazier, senior vice president of philanthropy and community initiatives and executive director of the Lightning Foundation. "Last year we were proud to partner and support 91 residents who were impacted by the pandemic and were in need of financial assistance to pay their utility bills. This year, we are honored to continue the program with a focus on supporting veterans throughout the month of July. Our veterans do so much to protect our freedom every day, and it is our honor to support them as a thank you for their service."

"We are proud to join forces with the Lightning to give back to local veterans in such a powerful way, through the Share program," said Archie Collins, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. "We're also grateful to Tampa Crossroads and to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for connecting us with the veterans who need the most help."

Tampa Crossroads’ Veterans Assistance Center is part of a national effort to end veteran homelessness and is funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Supportive Services for Veterans & Families Program.

Through the Veterans Assistance Center, Tampa Crossroads offers outreach and supportive services to veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their housing. The nonprofit provides veterans with a continuum of specialized housing services, case management, connections to the VA and mainstream benefits, and other supportive services.

Since 2017, the Tampa Crossroads Veterans Assistance Center has served more than 2,000 Veterans and their families.