TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Yvonne Fry Tuesday as the Lightning Community Hero during the first period of tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Fry, a tireless advocate for addressing systemic challenges in the community, received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Hero program, presented by Jabil.
She has chosen to direct the funds to Workforce Development Partners, a nonprofit organization she founded and leads as CEO.
A Legacy of Impact
Fry has dedicated her career to tackling issues such as poverty, hunger, transportation barriers, violence, and the lack of affordable housing. Through Workforce Development Partners, Fry has connected thousands of students to jobs and training opportunities, equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in the workforce.
During the last school year, the organization provided career insights to 7,277 students across 16 industries through business panels, connected 2,180 students to 72 businesses and nine training partners through 179 business tours, and facilitated the hiring process for 2,004 students with 271 hiring and training partners.
READ: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Clinch Fourth Consecutive NFC South Title
Expanding Workforce Development
The $50,000 grant will be used to support the mission of Workforce Development Partners, specifically the creation of a new Community Toolkit. This resource will feature videos and written materials to connect students and families with local resources.
The funds will also help develop additional lessons and expand the organization’s outreach to all 37 Hillsborough County Public High Schools. The goal is to better equip counselors and teachers with the information needed to guide their students toward career opportunities.
A Commitment to the Community
Fry is the 609th recipient of the Lightning Community Hero honor, a program launched by the Vinik Family during the 2011-12 season with an initial $10 million commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Since its inception, the program has granted $32.82 million to over 760 nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area.
In 2021, the Vinik Family announced an additional $10 million commitment to extend the program through the 2025-26 season. The new ownership group of Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz, who joined in October 2024, has partnered with the Vinik Family to ensure the program’s continued success and impact.
A Celebrated Hero
As the Lightning Community Hero, Fry joins a prestigious group of honorees whose contributions continue to strengthen the Tampa Bay community.
Her work through Workforce Development Partners ensures that students and families have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.