a community honors its philanthropic leaders
It started locally, Ed Spalty’s involvement in Easter Seals did, almost 20 years ago. His client Century 21 Real Estate was a strong corporate sponsor for the group, and he wanted to support his client’s charitable efforts.
So he set up a St. Patrick’s Day run, which was successful enough to raise money for the nonprofit organization for 15 years. Then he ran the VIP Campaign, and raised even more money from high-end donors. By 1990 he was Missouri state chairman, and in 1995 he started serving the first of two three-year terms on the national board of directors. He’s still active at all levels today. “I’ve chaired about every committee there is,” Spalty says, “and I’ve gotten far more out of it than I’ve put into it.”
His practice in franchise law with the firm of Armstrong Teasdale is a perfect fit for Easter Seals. The charity is made up of 80 affiliate franchises, all separately incorporated, and like all franchise systems, some operators are more experienced than others are. As part of the national organization’s affiliate-assistance program, he has served on the boards of troubled local groups and helped turn them around. His efforts led to his receipt in 1995 of the Edgar F. Allen Award, named for Easter Seals’ founder.
He estimates his work for the organization amounts to 15 to 20 days a year—that’s a lot of billable hours for an attorney. Still, he sees no end to the relationship. He looks forward to the group realizing the vision it has set for itself in 2005, which is to be the one nonprofit recognized throughout the world for the quality of its services by all people who have been touched by it.
“I like the mission to help the disabled,” Spalty says, “Easter Seals is better organized than any other nonprofit I’m familiar with, and I’m proud of being identified with it.”