The Tampa Bay Lightning honored United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Karen Mertes, a member of the DFS Tampa Bay Board of Directors, as a Lightning Community Hero. Mertes, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, will divide the money among DFS Tampa Bay, MADD, Fulfill Your Destiny, Bay Area Legal Services and Hands Across the Bay. A 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Mertes’ military career was cut short five years ago when the vehicle she was driving was struck by a drunk driver, causing her severe brain trauma that impaired her ability to function, as well as her memory and her ability to process information. Forced to retire, Mertes founded her own non-profit organization, Fulfill Your Destiny, which is dedicated to assisting others whose career paths have been permanently altered by injury.