Affected by storm, Rays announce local recovery plans

The Tampa Bay Rays and team owner Stuart Sternberg will donate $1 million to Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Team officials have also ensured that affected employees have critical resources.

The announcement came three days after Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik pledged $2 million and two days after the Glazer family, who own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, committed $1 million to relief efforts.

Many St. Petersburg stakeholders questioned why the Rays had not made a public statement in the aftermath of a storm that killed at least nine Pinellas County residents. While Tropicana Field hosted thousands of electric crews throughout Helene, many residents expected to hear from their local professional sports franchise.

The team will receive $587.5 million in public funding to offset construction costs for a new $1.3 billion ballpark, and $130 million for infrastructure improvements in the surrounding Gas Plant District.

Jennifer Tran, chief people and culture officer, became emotional as she described the storm’s toll on dozens of employees. She told the Catalyst team officials prioritized their well-being while establishing local recovery plans behind the scenes.

“We’re all in it at the moment,” Tran said. “It’s always our intention to give financially and make sure we’re contributing in a meaningful way. But we wanted to understand where it was going – put thought into that and be intentional.”

The Rays will split the first $500,000 tranche between the United Way Suncoast, Feeding Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce and the City of St. Petersburg. Officials are also organizing team volunteering efforts.

However, Tran said the team’s response began Sept. 24, two days before Helene’s storm surge began inundating the area. The first step was ensuring staff had time to evacuate.

Tran, a St. Petersburg native, said offices closed Wednesday through Friday. Team officials ensured employees – most of whom live in the city – left with cases of water and other critical supplies.

“A significant number of our staff – their houses got destroyed,” Tran said. “We’re working through that now with them and seeing how we can help.”

Hurricane Helene’s winds, which gusted to 82 mph in St. Petersburg, toppled this sign at Tropicana Field. Photo: Facebook.

In addition to hosting electric crews at Tropicana Field, the team has offered its lots to the city and Feeding Tampa Bay for food giveaways.

The team has activated an employee relief fund that includes Tampa Bay Rowdies employees. Tran stressed that their and their families’ safety is a top priority, and many have asked how they could help their colleagues and neighbors.

The Rays have a monthly program that allows employees to volunteer on the clock. Tran said they are anxious to “get their hands dirty” and “there is no task that is too big to try and tackle.”

Tran stressed that the Rays planned to make an announcement after listening to the community and identifying specific needs. She also reiterated the team’s commitment to helping uplift the area.

“It wasn’t for a lack of wanting to do it,” Tran added. “We live here, we work here. We raise our children here, and we volunteer here. We have been activating already – in different ways.”

The Rays previously planned to host the Laundry Project, a nonprofit that helps low-income families wash clothes and linens, Oct. 10. Tran said the team is now working to hold the event sooner and bring additional washers and dryers to Tropicana Field. Staff will provide funding and supplies and assist with services.

Tran is also helping colleagues whose homes “took on a tremendous amount of water” find temporary housing. “We just want to make sure we’re supporting the community and supporting each other,” she said.

“It’s part of our DNA.”

Tampa Bay Rays volunteers package food for hurricane victims at Tropicana Field in October 2022. Many of them now need assistance. Photo: Tampa Bay Rays/Scott Audette.