Blog – Pepin Family Foundation

Pepin Academies Named 2025 Yass Prize Contender for Innovation in Learning for Students with Disabilities

October 20, 2025

The Tampa Bay schools are among just 23 organizations nationwide competing for $1 million award Pepin Academies, a network of public charter schools dedicated to serving students with learning disabilities, has been named a 2025 Yass Prize Contender—one of only…

Graduates designed a custom challenge coin that reads First to Respond, Last to Ask for Help (Front) & We Fight as a Family, You Are Never Alone (Back). Each coin includes a QR code linking to a current list of vetted mental health resources.

Protecting Those Who Protect Us: St. Pete Police Officers Receive Mental Health Challenge Coins

October 10, 2025

As Officer Suicides Climb, Graduates Take Steps to Save Lives and Change the Future of Policing On World Mental Health Day, a new kind of badge of honor was handed out to St. Petersburg Police officers at this morning’s briefing—custom…

Hillsborough County’s firefighters and deputies spent Saturday giving back to the community they serve at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day

Hundreds Celebrate the Community and First Responders at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day

October 4, 2025

Hillsborough County’s firefighters and deputies spent Saturday giving back to the community they serve at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day at Raymond James Stadium. Children climbed aboard fire trucks, explored sheriff’s vehicles, and watched the bomb squad robot in…

Top five from left: Gabriella Accardi Wichman, Garrett Greco, Gianna Accardi Griffith, Maximilian Chillura, Andrea Gonzmart Williams. Bottom center: Drew Newman, Tina Pepin

Tampa’s Next Generation of Leaders

September 24, 2025

Excerpt from Tampa Magazine: As a child, Tina Pepin wanted to be part of her family’s legacy and business. Her grandfather founded Pepin Distributing, and her father purchased the business in 1981 — but they did far more than distribute beer.…

Lee’s contributions span his years of public service and private sector leadership, where he has consistently championed responsible growth, housing affordability, and sound policy that strengthens Florida’s communities. This year, Lee also joined the Pepin Family Office as CEO, where he oversees strategic initiatives and philanthropic efforts that support Tampa Bay’s communities, further extending his lifelong commitment to public service and community development.

Former Senate President Tom Lee Inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame

September 23, 2025

The Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) proudly announces the induction of Tom Lee into the prestigious Florida Housing Hall of Fame, honoring his decades of leadership, vision, and service to the home building industry and the people of Florida. The…

Group from left to right: Donna Wright, The Able Trust; Tina Pepin, Pepin Family Foundation; Alexis Dempsey Doyle, Saddlebrook Resort; Allison Chase, The Able Trust

Tina Pepin Awarded the Champion of Opportunity Award by The Able Trust

August 27, 2025

The Able Trust awarded the Champion of Opportunity Award to Tina Pepin, Executive Director of the Pepin Family Foundation. The award, presented during a celebration luncheon at Saddlebrook Resort, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion, and commitment to expanding…

Pepin Academies Transition Program at the Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office

Students with Disabilities Build Life Skills in an Unexpected Place: The Public Defender’s Office

August 18, 2025

Young Adults with Learning Disabilities Are Back to School at this Unique Training Ground in Downtown Tampa Among the legal files, busy attorneys, and bustling court preparations at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, there’s something else happening—something you wouldn’t…

Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Officers Graduate from Groundbreaking Mental Health Program

July 28, 2025

As Officer Suicides Climb, Graduates Take Steps to Save Lives and Change the Future of Policing More police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. Behind the badge, many carry invisible wounds—and far too often, they suffer…

Pepin Family USF Nursing Pathway Summer Program

Inspiring the Next Generation of Nurses to Help Ease the Sustained Shortage

June 26, 2025

Local High School Students Scrub In for Real-World Experience Through USF & Pepin Family Foundation While many teens spent the start of summer break relaxing, 50 local students suited up in scrubs to explore one of the most in-demand and…

Pepin Heart Institute at AdventHealth Tampa becomes first in Tampa Bay to complete 1,000th WATCHMAN™ heart procedure

June 4, 2025

The heart care experts at the Pepin Heart Institute, a part of AdventHealth Tampa, are now the first in the Tampa Bay area to complete 1,000 WATCHMAN ™ procedures, a minimally invasive surgery that helps prevent stroke and cardiovascular death…

Inspiring the Next Generation of Nurses to Help Ease the Sustained Shortage

June 26, 2025

Pepin Heart Institute at AdventHealth Tampa becomes first in Tampa Bay to complete 1,000th WATCHMAN™ heart procedure

June 4, 2025

Pepin Academies Expands “Zen Dens” to Support Student Mental Health

May 28, 2025

For many students with learning disabilities, the school day can feel overwhelming. The noise, the schedule changes, the social pressures — it can all add up quickly. That’s why Pepin Academies is expanding its “Zen Den” initiative, creating more calming…

Tom Pepin has chosen former president of the Florida Senate Tom Lee to serve as chief executive officer for the newly created Pepin Family Office.

Former Florida Senate President Tom Lee Named CEO of Pepin Family Office

January 21, 2025

The Pepin family’s long-standing commitment to strengthening Tampa Bay is taking a significant new step. Business leader and philanthropist Tom Pepin has officially launched the Pepin Family Office and selected longtime friend and former Florida Senate President Tom Lee to lead it as Chief Executive Officer.…

Pepin Academies Named 2025 Yass Prize Contender for Innovation in Learning for Students with Disabilities

Protecting Those Who Protect Us: St. Pete Police Officers Receive Mental Health Challenge Coins

Hundreds Celebrate the Community and First Responders at the 3rd Annual Family Fun Day

Tampa’s Next Generation of Leaders

Former Senate President Tom Lee Inducted into the Florida Housing Hall of Fame

Tina Pepin Awarded the Champion of Opportunity Award by The Able Trust

Students with Disabilities Build Life Skills in an Unexpected Place: The Public Defender’s Office

Protecting Those Who Protect Us: Officers Graduate from Groundbreaking Mental Health Program

Inspiring the Next Generation of Nurses to Help Ease the Sustained Shortage

Pepin Heart Institute at AdventHealth Tampa becomes first in Tampa Bay to complete 1,000th WATCHMAN™ heart procedure

Inspiring the Next Generation of Nurses to Help Ease the Sustained Shortage

Pepin Heart Institute at AdventHealth Tampa becomes first in Tampa Bay to complete 1,000th WATCHMAN™ heart procedure

Pepin Academies Expands “Zen Dens” to Support Student Mental Health

Former Florida Senate President Tom Lee Named CEO of Pepin Family Office

Pepin Family USF Nursing Pathway Summer Program

Temple Park renamed after philanthropic Pepin family

AdventHealth Foundation West Florida Starlight Gala

Pepin Family Foundation supports new St. Petersburg College mental health course program for law enforcement

Pepin Family Foundation sponsors Advent Health’s 2023 Starlight Gala

We are a family-led foundation focused on education, health care, transportation, and mental health wellness services for professionals on the front line.