Athlete Chosen as Lightning Community Hero

Congratulations to Special Olympics Florida athlete Marlynne Stutzman, who was honored recently as a Lightning Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning. As part of the award, Special Olympics Florida received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil.

Marlynne has been a Special Olympics Florida athlete for more than 15 years, participating in a host of sports. Last fall, she set a world record by becoming the first person with autism to complete a full IRONMAN and the Boston Marathon. She’s also represented Special Olympics Florida at an international triathlon in Slovakia and captured a gold medal at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.

The Lightning donation will help expand Special Olympics Florida programs in the Tampa Bay area. Marlynne became the 566^th Lightning Community Hero since the Lightning Community Hero program began in 2011-12. We are incredibly proud of Marlynne and so grateful to our friends at the Lightning and the Lightning Foundation.

Marlynne Stutzman pictured with Lightning player, Brayden Point