Voices of Giving: Anthony and Regina Reis

Nominated by: Santa Maria Community Services and Catholic Inner-City Education Fund (CISE) (Awarded Posthumously)

Tony and Regina Reis were a remarkable couple who blessed countless lives through their deep commitment both to Santa Maria Community Services and Catholic Inner-City Education Fund.

Tony and Regina were generous supporters of Santa Maria and dedicated volunteers. Tony was a highlight of Santa Maria’s Meal-on-Wheels program for nearly 15 years. His passion for the program began right at home, thanks to his wife Regina who helped found the program. Even at age 92, Tony still hit the road, delivering meals to the homebound in Price Hill with great passion, enthusiasm, and compassion.

For nearly 30 years, Tony and Regina were also generous supporters of CISE (Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund), helping hundreds of disadvantaged children attend neighborhood Catholic schools. They began as Friends of the CISE Raffle. Their support then expanded to the annual CISE campaign. Now, even after their passing, the CISE annual campaign continues to receive gifts through the Regina and Anthony Reis Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

In 1997, Tony and Regina also created the Anthony H. and Regina M. Reis Charitable Remainder Trust.

Upon Tony’s passing last year, both Santa Maria and CISE received generous bequests from the Reis trust, allowing both to continue, expand, and perpetuate their valuable services to the community.

The Reis’ generous bequest has made a considerable impact in helping grow Santa Maria’s endowment. Santa Maria was also able to share the story of the Reis’ generosity in their newsletter, thus encouraging other supporters to consider their own planned gift.

For CISE, the generous Reis bequest is giving children in urban areas the chance to receive a solid educational and spiritual foundation at inner-city Catholic schools. This gift of education is, in turn, opening opportunities for these children that, otherwise, might never have been possible.

Neither Tony nor Regina ever sought recognition for their generosity. They helped others because it was the “right thing to do.” Nonetheless, both Santa Maria and CISE were pleased to be able to honor Tony and Regina during their lifetimes.
Santa Maria Community Services and Catholic Inner-City Education Fund are further honored to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Anthony and Regina Reis. Their inspirational example will benefit so many, for generations to come.