Tocqueville Member Spotlight: Ed and Kitty Smith

Ed and Kitty Smith understand what it means to make a long-term commitment.

The Smiths have been United Way donors for almost 40 years, and have been giving at the Tocqueville level for more than 20 of those years. Ed previously served on the former Tocqueville Society Council and the Planned Giving Committee in the early 2000s.

Ed graciously spoke to us about the profound rewards the couple has discovered with their unceasing support of United Way’s mission and their plans to continue their support in the years to come.

Thank you for your longstanding support of United Way.  Can you tell us, why have you chosen to give so generously for so many years?

We have always been impressed by how much United Way contributes to the community and tries to address root problems, especially in the area of early childhood education.

How have you been impacted personally by giving to United Way?

We have always felt that the personal satisfaction of giving to United Way was a way to contribute to the betterment of our Boston community.  Kitty and I have much to be thankful for, and are gratified to give back through United Way.

How did volunteering on our Community Impact Committee help you to understand the impact you were making?

I was most impressed by the quality, sophistication and earnestness of the members of the committee. They were leaders of the Greater Boston Area, and it was an honor to serve with them.

We know you also volunteer with Greater Boston Legal Services, sitting on their board and volunteering with their Community Access Group. Is access to resources something that resonates most with you?

Yes. Greater Boston Legal Services is one example of creating access to resources for those who could not otherwise afford them.

What does being a Tocqueville member mean to you and Kitty. Why would you recommend this to others?

The society signals a level of commitment and a community of those who strongly support the goals of United Way.

Why have you decided to include United Way in your estate plans? What kind of a legacy are you proud to have in our community? Why is it important that we think about helping directly future generations today?

We recognize that, while our annual gifts are important to United Way, at some point our lives will end. We would want our legacy gift to assist United Way in the loss of our annual giving.

Any other thoughts?

We still think back to Marion Heard and what an inspiration she was for so many of us.  We are delighted to see the roots she planted at United Way continue to thrive.

About Ed and Kitty Smith

Edwin E. Smith is a partner in the New York City and Boston offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.  He concentrates his practice in general commercial and insolvency law. He has been a member of the teaching faculty at the Morin Center for Banking Law Studies at Boston University Law School, where he has taught secured transactions and transnational lending and trade finance.  He has also served as a lecturer on secured transactions at Northeastern University Law School of Law, Harvard Law School and Suffolk Law School.

Kitty has been a community volunteer for many years. They live in Weston, MA and enjoy traveling together.