Panthers’ staffers join Lightning to build homes
Hurricane Irma ravaged much of Immokalee
The rivalry-turned-partnership between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning continues to pay off in assistance to victims of Hurricane Irma.
About 50 staff members, alumni and associates from both hockey organizations participated Tuesday in efforts with Habitat for Humanity of Collier County to build affordable housing for those whose homes were destroyed by the storm, a Panthers spokesperson said.
Immokalee, a small rural community known for tomato farming, suffered extensive damage with many homes destroyed or losing their roofs to the category 3 storm that made landfall Sept. 10 on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Many residents there had their livelihoods interrupted for weeks in the aftermath.
“Our Florida Community is at the heart of our organization,” Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell said in a statement. “We’re so honored to stand alongside the NHL, NHLPA and Tampa Bay Lightning in our efforts to provide relief to the people of Immokalee.”
Notables from the Panthers organization who participated in the rebuilding effort included Caldwell; former Panthers forward Shawn Thornton, who now works in the business operation; broadcasters Randy Moller, Bill Lindsay and Doug Plagens; Stephen Gerhard, vice president of ticket sales; and Nicole Meloff, vice president of client services.
The building project was supported by $400,000 distributed to Habitat for Humanity from the $2.7 million donation pledged jointly by the Panthers, Lightning, NHL and NHL Players Association in September. Habitat for Humanity is known for creating affordable housing for people in need throughout the world, utilizing donations and volunteer labor.
Volunteers on the project in Immokalee helped to build new homes, assisted with framing walls, hanging siding, painting and laying sod.
“We are excited to partner with the NHL, NHLPA and Florida Panthers on a great initiative with Habitat for Humanity on helping to rebuild our state after Hurricane Irma devastated Florida,” Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said. “Our fans, along with our players and the Lightning organization, contributed a lot of money to the Hurricane Irma Fund this past fall, and we are looking forward as an organization to utilize their spirit and willingness to help with rebuilding South Florida.”
The Panthers and Lightning contributed $1 million to the hurricane relief effort following the storm.
On opening night in October, the Panthers designated four recipients to receive $250,000 apiece to aid victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria: Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Feeding South Florida, the Salvation Army and UNICEF (benefiting Puerto Rico and the Caribbean).
cldavis@ sun-sentinel.com, Twitter @CraigDavisRuns