TAMPA, FL – The law firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, is pleased to announce that Tampa Partner Ronald A. Christaldi has been named Chair of the American Heart Association Tampa Bay’s 2021 Heart Ball. The Heart Ball is one of the largest annual fundraising events held each year to fund lifesaving research, support health and education initiatives in the community, improve the quality of care in our hospitals, advocate for healthy policies, and so much more.
"Heart disease touches so many families throughout Tampa Bay. I am humbled to join with the American Heart Association Tampa Bay and its army of supporters to fund research and provide hope for those who have been touched by heart disease and stroke,” said Ron. "I look forward to encouraging other organizations and businesses to join me in supporting the 2021 Heart Ball.”
Ron, past Chair of the Tampa Bay Chamber, is known for connecting and building relationships within the community. Generous with his time, he chaired the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Suncoast Chapter’s 2018 Tampa Light The Night Walk. Ron also serves in leadership roles for numerous organizations, including the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council, Friends of the Riverwalk, Inc., City of Tampa Charter Review Commission, Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, City of Tampa Creative Industries Council, and the Tampa Theatre Facility Master Plan Task Force among other groups. A founding member of the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Leadership Trust, Ron was also recently named to the New College of Florida Board of Trustees and the Ybor City Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Each year, the Heart Ball brings the community together to support the American Heart Association Tampa Bay’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. This year’s event was no exception even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-chaired by longtime supporters, Chuck Sykes and Paul Reilly, who- along with their Executive Cabinet- helped lead the charge in re-imaging the event as a virtual experience. Over 300 attendees logged in to and collectively raised more than $1.6M at this year's Heart Ball.
This year’s Heart Ball, one of the American Heart Association Tampa Bay’s largest fundraisers, was such a success despite ever-changing circumstances,” said Chuck Sykes, President and CEO of SYKES. “As co-chairs, Paul Reilly and I are thrilled with the $1.6 million dollars raised thanks to the efforts of our Executive cabinet, AHA staff, generous sponsors and donors who showed up to support the mission. We know there is no one better suited to oversee the efforts of the 2021 Heart Ball than our newly announced Chair, Ron Christaldi. Ron is a leader in the business world, known as a problem solver and community connector, and we are pleased to pass the baton to him and look forward to the successes of next year.”
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Founded in 1925, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 265 lawyers and seven offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio; Tampa and Sarasota, Florida; Charlotte, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Shumaker is a premier provider of quality legal services. Whether it's commitment to clients or work in the community, involvement lies at the core of all of Shumaker’s initiatives.