Committed to Giving Back
Talk Fusion Founder & CEO Bob Reina has outdone himself in his ongoing commitment to the causes of ending pet homelessness and eradicating companion animal euthanasia by pledging ONE MILLION DOLLARS to The Humane Society of Tampa Bay. This is the largest single donation ever made in the organization’s 100-year history and will be used to build the Talk Fusion Animal Health Center, a new facility providing low-cost full-service healthcare for the community’s pets, as well as the animals sheltered at the Humane Society itself.
The Talk Fusion Animal Health Center is dedicated in loving memory of two of Bob Reina’s own late dogs, Thunder and Shadow. It opens in Fall 2012.
On Monday, December 12th,
Reina, Talk Fusion VP of Training
& Development Allison Roberts, Humane Society Executive Director Sherry Silk and the rest of the Board of Directors were joined by community leaders, Humane Society staff, media and the Talk Fusion Executive Team for the Center’s groundbreaking ceremony. Silk and President of the Board of Directors Connie Johnson both praised Reina and Talk Fusion for making this longtime dream a reality, and the entire Board – on which Reina and Roberts both sit – broke ground using the traditional golden shovels. It was an inspiring moment, and one that spotlighted Talk Fusion’s dedication to speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves.
All of you know that Talk Fusion’s cause is speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves and helping to lower companion animal euthanasia. But you might not know that our Founder & CEO has changed other lives as well.
For the ninth year in a row, Bob Reina funded the Africa Sinomusa Foundation’s annual Christmas party earlier this December in South Africa. And closer to home, he helped a few baseball players from Brandon, Florida’s Faith Baptist School make their way to a tournament in Tennessee and earn college scholarships! We’re proud to be associated with Bob, who does so much for so many.
In keeping with the company's dedication to both speaking for those who can't speak for themselves and helping to change lives around the world, Talk Fusion has made it possible for Florida's Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to add another smart, young dog to its K-9 Unit. Reina "Thunder" Roberts, a German Shorthaired Pointer from Europe, is the latest addition to the unit. She is named after both Talk Fusion Founder & CEO Bob Reina and his late Basset Hound Thunder, who died of cancer at the young age of six, as well as her new handler, Deputy Mike Roberts. She is currently being trained to help keep the community safe by detecting explosives and is at the top of her class!
Talk Fusion has always supported animal causes – Bob Reina and VP of Training & Development Allison Roberts both sit on the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay – and Bob Reina spent time in public service as a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Deputy himself, so this was a wonderful way for the company to combine its philanthropic passions.
At the Vision Event, Sherry Silk, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared her dream for abandoned and abused companion animals and thanked Talk Fusion for their generous contributions. Blue Diamonds Rob and Stephney Roder were then presented with a very special Talk Fusion Gives Back Award for their generous contribution of $10,000 at the 2011 Tuxes & Tails Benefit Gala! Blue Diamonds Minh & Julie Ho matched their contribution with $10,000 of their own ON THE SPOT, allowing Talk Fusion to raise nearly $15,000 more for the Cause!
Humane Society of Tampa Bay Benefit Raises $400,000 for Neglected & Abused Animals
Talk Fusion Founder & CEO Bob Reina Donates $250,000 – The largest in the Organization's 100-year History!
Local celebrities, community tastemakers and animal lovers of all stripes converged on the Tampa Convention Center Saturday, May 14 to show their love for their four-legged friends, and help raise funds for other critters in need of some love of their own.
Over the course of a dazzling upscale event that included dinner, a fashion show and live and silent auctions, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay's "Tuxes & Tails" fundraiser brought in more than $400,000 for the organization—a new record for the event. The evening saw some staggeringly generous gifts, including a single donation of $250,000 by entrepreneur (and Humane Society Board member) Bob Reina, whose Brandon-based video communication company Talk Fusion served as the gala's "Best in Show" sponsor and lent its time and talents to the party’s decorations, programs and video production.
"It's up to us to speak for those who can't speak for themselves," said Reina.
Clearwater marketer Rob Roder, a Talk Fusion associate, also wowed the crowd with a personal donation of $10,000.
"It is an honor to be able to give back to the animals that give us so much in so many ways," he said.
Patrons wined, dined, and bid on such incentives as a Paris vacation, a Frank Sinatra themed evening out in Ybor City, one-of-a-kind artwork and an original poster from the movie Caddyshack signed by the actor Bill Murray, among many others. The Humane Society showcased dozens of adoptable animals; 17 of them found new homes, leaving in the arms of partygoers. After the heartwarming fashion show featuring stylishly bedecked cats and dogs walking the runway with luminaries like Tampa Bay Buccaneers Head Coach Raheem Morris, revelers drifted outside to the Convention Center's River Walk for a glassblowing exhibition and live music.
"I am very proud to be a small part of an organization that connects completely to the community, and to helping all the animals and their families," said Patti Sutherland of the Humane Society's Board of Directors. "I truly believe how a society treats its animals depicts its humanity."
"Allison [Roberts, VP of Training & Development], Bob and the whole Talk Fusion staff created an amazing stage and film," said Mary Birrell, Vice President of the Society's Board. "They are true professionals, and we are lucky to have [Bob and Allison] on our Board."
Last weekend marked Talk Fusion's third consecutive year as Best in Show sponsor of "Tuxes & Tails." Founded in 2007 by Bob Reina, the debt-free company offers a suite of cutting-edge video communication products as well as a forward-thinking take on the traditional relationship marketing model. Talk Fusion holds an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau, is a member of the exclusive and prestigious Direct Selling Association, and is committed to giving back for the betterment of its community, and of the world.
For more information about the Humane Society, making a donation or adopting a new "Forever Friend", call the Humane Society at 813.876.4150 or visit their website at www.humanesocietytampa.org.
The entire Talk Fusion Team is committed to the idea that
what we contribute to our world, community and culture is
every bit as important as the success we achieve.
Nine-year-old Addie Ratliff's mother recently told us of her daughter's success using Talk Fusion Video Email in her fundraising efforts on behalf of the Sumter County, Florida Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Little Addie began by recycling cell phones and used ink cartridges, and the Video Email she made to inspire other children to do their part ended up winning $250 in an online contest, which she donated to the SPCA!
Nine-Year-Old Addie Ratliff Uses Talk Fusion
Video Email to Help Her Local Humane Society
Lisa Ratliff of Sumter County, Florida recently sent an email to Talk Fusion founder and CEO Bob Reina. Knowing his love for animals and various charitable efforts on behalf of the Hillsborough County Humane Society, Lisa wanted to share with him the story of her nine-year-old daughter Addie's own crusade for her local Humane Society.
Starting in January 2010, Addie and her six-year-old little sister began asking businesses around town for their old cell phones and used printer cartridges, so they could recycle them and give the proceeds to the Humane Society and Sumter County SPCA. Soon, "Addie's Project" had expanded to include the girls volunteering at fundraising events, participating in walk-a-thons and raising money, resources and awareness several different ways – Addie even asked that her parents buy cat and dog food rather than presents for her birthday!
Lisa and Addie also made a Talk Fusion Video Email explaining all the ways "Addie's Project" helped their furry friends, to inspire animal lovers of all ages to get out there and do their part. Lisa submitted the video to a contest on freekibble.com, a charitable website that helps provide food for shelter animals across the country, and the Ratliffs won, earning Addie $250 – which, of course, she has decided to donate to the Humane Society and SPCA. "I knew you have an interest in animals too and I just wanted you to see what my little girl is doing at her young age, we are SO proud of her and her dedication to this cause," Lisa writes. "Her interest now is that when they get their animal shelter built (right now the animals are at foster homes of volunteers until adopted out) she wants to work there."
Talk Fusion is proud to have played a part in "Addie's Project"
Read Lisa Ratliff's Letter Here.
When Talk Fusion Founder
& CEO Bob Reina saved and
adopted his dog Bindi in 2008,
a trip to the local Animal
Services shelter inspired him
to donate more than
300 PET BEDS to the facility.
"Tails of the Heart" Pulls At The Heartstrings
Talk Fusion is proud to have once again been the "Best in Show" Sponsor of The Humane Society of Tampa Bay's annual black tie gala. This year's event, "Tails of the Heart", presented by Tuxes & Tails, took place on Saturday, May 15th at the Tampa Convention Center.
The event, which raises funds for housing, food and care for homeless, and often abused or neglected, companion animals throughout the Tampa Bay area, is the largest fund raiser for the charity. Last year's event raised over $130,000 for the organization. A generous personal donation from Bob Reina, Talk Fusion Founder and CEO, solely funded the building of the Second Chance Patio. This specially-designed 18-pen enclosure for larger or older dogs, offers them a life-saving gift – another chance to find their "Forever Home." This year’s event again raised in excess of $130,000 for the Humane Society
In addition to lending the superb talents of Talk Fusions award-winning Creative Services team to design the event marketing materials and video presentation, Bob Reina, Allison Roberts, Talk Fusion's Vice President of Training and Development, and other members of the Executive team also attended the event.
Attendees were treated to an upscale evening of live entertainment, a high-end silent auction and live auction, as well as a sumptuous dinner. The highlight of the evening was a fun fashion show where Celebrity Models teamed with their pets, or a Humane Society "Adorable Adoptable," to strut their stuff on the runway.
For more information about the Humane Society, making a donation or adopting a new "Forever Friend", call the Humane Society at 813.876.4150, email them at specialevents@humanesocietytampa.org or visit their website at www.humanesocietytampa.org.
