TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands made their way to the Amalie Arena on Thursday to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning.
One week removed from Hurricane Milton, several fans arrived with more than just their tickets and spirit.
The energy for gameday is electric no matter who you speak with — not that you would expect anything less from a team called the Lightning.
“I am a dedicated fan,” Deb Alexander said.
You could see and hear the same dedication from every single person at Amalie Arena. The team Tampa Bay loves so dearly is giving back.
“We’re really thankful for the rally that our community and group of fans has done in such a trying time for everyone,” Tampa Bay Lightning Community Relations and Social Impact Coordinator Caitlin O’Halloran said.
The organization said it’s important to bring the lightning and thunder so they can make some noise in their community to get everyone to donate for people impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
“Our fans and people in our community were heavily impacted by the storms,” O’Halloran said.
That's why O’Halloran said you could see boxes being filled by the second as fans brought any number of items before heading into the game.
“I brought applesauce, some cans, even some sanitary wipes. I had a whole box at home. I might as well bring them,” Tucker Truman said.
Everything will go to help Feeding Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries and the University Area Community Development Corporation.
“Just to come up here tonight to do what we can to give back to the community and so many people having a hard time right now — so, it’s so nice to be here,” Bolts fan Vic Weeden said.
It's a very real reminder of how a community can truly shine even as they face uncertainty.
“Just to be able to come out here for a few hours, and you can forget everything that’s going bad and all the stress that everyone’s under,” Michele Pappargeris said.
If you’d like to donate through the Tampa Bay Lightning, you can do so by clicking or tapping here.