Joyce Smith Community Spirit Award

Joyce Smith was a dedicated and loyal employee of the Tampa Bay Rays for over 10 years. Ms. Joyce touched the lives of many within the hallways of Tropicana Field and her local community. In memory of Ms. Joyce and her contributions to the organization, the Rays award the Joyce Smith Community Spirit Award annually. This award recognizes outstanding employees who make significant societal contributions beyond their professional responsibilities.

All full-time staff members who participate in a community partnership of some kind are eligible for the award. A recipient is selected by an internal committee comprised of various members of the organization. The award is presented annually at the Rays Holiday Party. Recipients receive a commemorative plaque and $1,000 to be donated in their name to a charity of their choice.

The 2012 recipient of the Joyce Smith Community Spirit Award was Karen Richardson, Box Office Supervisor, for her continued support of the South St. Petersburg Neighborhood Initiative. In 2009, a horrific drive-by shooting took the life of a young girl in the neighborhood adjacent to Tropicana Field. Karen, along with some of her colleagues and neighbors, decided to take action against the violence erupting within their community of south St. Petersburg. Karen approached senior management about ways the Rays could help shed light on the problems plaguing their neighborhoods; violence, poverty and children struggling to get to and stay in school. Her passion for change struck a chord with management and the Rays became supporters of what is now called the South St. Petersburg Neighborhood Initiative. What started as a back-to-school backpack giveaway and some giveaways over the holidays has grown to be a stand-out program of Rays Community Relations department and the team overall.

Karen continues to lead the charge by meeting with community officials and citizens to discuss needs of south St. Petersburg students and families. She manages the summer Dugout Club program and even solicits Rays players to support the cause. The new walking school bus program, a partnership with the United Way Suncoast, Jabil and the Rays, was at the request and urgency of Karen and colleagues, and their discussions with Campbell Park Elementary. The school expressed an inherent need for a safe and consistent way for students to get to school every day. Since the program began in spring 2011, 76 families have signed up for the program and it continues to grow. Report cards are already showing improvement in attendance and grades.

Karen was recently recognized as an outstanding volunteer by Mayor Bill Foster and the City of St. Petersburg for her dedication to the betterment of south St. Petersburg neighborhoods. She regularly volunteers her personal time to events supporting the youth of SSP and continues to find ways to support families in need. She most recently planned and executed the Rays first ever “Turkey Drop” where a Rays player and coach delivered Thanksgiving day meals to families participating in the walking school bus program. She approached internal resources to collect donations from Sweetbay and then spent time picking up items, packing meal kits, organizing the pick-up and delivery of meals along with Rays staff, school officials and United Way partners.

She continues to rally support from fellow co-workers and inspire them to participate in these programs that make such a needed difference in their backyard. Her efforts to create and maintain programs that make a measurable impact will live on in this community for years to come.

• 2010 David Baggs
• 2011 Tom Melodayo