Legacy Society | Bob and Susan Soldani

For nearly 100 years, legacies and bequests have played an important part in funding many of the Easterseals’ programs that give 56.7 million people with disabilities the ability to live, learn, work and play in their communities. Early this December of 2018, Bob and Susan sat down with Easterseals Massachusetts President and CEO Paul Medeiros to reminisce about their 29-year intimate relationship with Easterseals Massachusetts and why they decided to join the Legacy Society. 

In the Spring of 1991, Bob Soldani was working as a manager at TJX company, when he was  approached by Human Resources about helping out with a local relay walk for charity - that walk is what we now know as Walk With Me Boston. Despite the fact that  Bob and his wife Susan had no previous relationship with Easterseals Massachusetts, they were both compelled to participate as volunteers. As Bob reflects on those early Walk events, he earnestly describes the energy, warmth, and feeling of inclusiveness of the experience as if it were only yesterday. Susan commented “we quickly became connected on a very personal level with Easterseals as we continued to interact with families… every time we would meet someone new we would learn something new about the scope of Easterseals and how differently they help children and adults.” Susan pointed out that she remembers being so impressed that Easterseals attempted to do so much and never stayed limited in their approach. Naturally, Bob and Susan joined a small planning committee for the event. Flash forward 29 years later and that very same committee is still in-tact and operates as nothing short of a close-knit family.

As Paul turned Bob and Susan’s attention to the topic of The Legacy Society by thanking them for being so generous, Susan said quite poignantly “these people [Easterseals staff and clients) are our family.” Bob gently looked at Susan and declared how crucial it is to account for your assets as your get to a certain age even though it can be emotionally challenging. Susan assured Paul that it was their pleasure to support Easterseals in their shared will because of  two distinct factors; trust and impact. “Trust is a big factor, we worked hard for our money we want to know where it’s going,” Bob pointed out how impressed he was that 86% of Easterseals expenses are directly allocated to programs and services. “You’re not even picking a certain age group or disability because Easterseals helps everyone!” said Bob. Susan piggybacked on this point stating she’s seen many clients receive services literally throughout their lifetime; “We needed to know our money is used for things we value; families, children, community.” Bob paused and excitedly replied, almost as if he had a eureka moment, and blurted out “look at how Danny Harris has thrived being supported by Easterseals every step of the way!” Paul quickly flashed a prideful smile, pointing out that he was happy Bob and Susan’s narrative seemed to reinforce Easterseals’ new slogan, “All abilities. Limitless possibilities.” Susan also reminded Paul, “You know, so many organizations have these upper management figures who are faceless to the donors and clients, but not

Easterseals.” Susan went on to point out how she sees Paul and other staff at all the local events and shared that Easterseals President Emeritus, Kirk Joslin, still visits them regularly at their home. In the final minutes of traveling down memory road with Paul over the years of endless Easterseals milestones, Susan and Bob simply concluded that the Legacy Society was a no- brainer for them. Because Easterseals Massachusetts is as much a family as an organization, Susan declared confidently, being part of the legacy society is no different from wanting to see your family be supported for the future. In many ways, Bob and Susan seemed to feel they were not just supporting Easterseals staff and clients they now considered family, but that they were also investing in larger social concepts such as the future of what words like “inclusion” and “accessible” mean. Indeed, Easterseals continues to make incredible advances to truly improve the way the world views and defines disability in people’s lives every day.