Remarks by Yinka Faleti 

Edward Jones Manchester Auditorium 

November 20, 2014 

Thank you, Jim, for that introduction. … I usually don’t speak from notes because, at  most occasions, I usually am speaking for just a few minutes. But, today, I have  notes…so, get ready. 

But this is important. What you’ve accomplished as a collective is not only impressive,  it’s historic. So, we must take time to pause and to recognize…and to appreciate.  

1922 was a special year for both Edward Jones and United Way of Greater St Louis.  In 1922, Edward D. Jones, Sr. established Edward D. Jones & Co. and opened your  first office here in St. Louis. In 1922, United Way of Greater St. Louis began as the “Community Fund,” organized by volunteers to raise money to help operate 40  charities. What a difference 92 years has made for both organizations. 

How many of you can complete this sentence with me? It’s something you say all the  time in your industry:

"Past performance does not…guarantee future results."

But I  think in the case of Edward Jones, it does. While what you have accomplished is  indeed historic, it really shouldn’t surprise this community or this country. To be  charitable; to consider others not as fortunate; to give meaningfully and  significantly…it’s in the very DNA of this organization. The past and present leaders  of this firm had and have that as part of their life philosophy. 

A 1985 article about Sam Walton, CEO of Walmart Stores, called him the richest man  in America. An Edward Jones partner read the article and wrote to Ted Jones: "It  occurred to me that if you had taken the firm public, you would be the richest man in  America. Thanks for sharing the firm with all of us." 

Ted replied: "I am the richest man in America. I have a wife who loves me in spite of  all my faults. I have four dogs. Two love only me. One loves everybody. One loves no one but is still very loyal. I have a horse I love to ride around the farm, and best of all,  she comes to me when I call her. I have too much to eat and a dry place to sleep. I enjoy my business. I love my farm and my home. I have a few close friends, and  money has never been my [g]od." 

No wonder this firm is not only good at what it does—making sense of investing.  This firm is also good at doing good.  

As a firm, you collectively raised over $5.2 million dollars for the United Way  campaign. And 83% of that total came from you—Leadership Givers. This community is so fortunate to have you who are so invested in the success of this  region that you choose to give at a substantial level. You understand that so many in  this community simply need a hand-up to get to a better place in life. And you  understand the power of your individual and collective contributions. Thank you. 

Your United Way has also had a historic campaign. This campaign, Your United Way  raised over $73 million. We got there because of you. Because of your historic  campaign and so many committed institutional and individual partners throughout  our region, we were able to have 73 million reasons to celebrate with the community. 

Because of you, so many children and youth in our community will receive the  nurture and care they need through our agency Almost Home.

Because of you, people  in our community fighting cancer will get the support they need through the  American Cancer Society.

Because of you, the homeless among us will get the training  and opportunity they need to help pull themselves out of the shadows and  hopelessness of homelessness and once again into their own home in our society  through St. Patrick Center.

Because of you, so many who were without hope, will gain  access to the resources that will infuse help and hope into their lives through the over  170 health and human services agencies and other community initiatives powered by  United Way. 

But it took so many of you to reach your amazing milestone. Indeed, it took all of you  here and so many not able to be here this evening. There are a few I’d like to highlight  in particular: Steve Kuehl, Meghan Wildt, Scott Thoma, Julie Lich, and all who served  on the campaign steering committee. These folks rallied and encouraged and reminded and answered questions and organized and made phone calls and sent  emails and motivated your team here to contribute to the United Way campaign.  Please join me in a round of applause for this stellar team.

As I close, I leave you with this Chinese Proverb: 

“If you want happiness for an hour--take a nap. If you want happiness for a day--go  fishing. If you want happiness for a month--get married.” Hey, I didn’t make that  quote..…“If you want happiness for a year--inherit a fortune. … If you want  happiness for a lifetime--help others." Based on this proverb, you must be the happiest of all. Thank you for helping others live their best possible lives. Thank you.

Presentation of Commemorative Plaque to Jim Weddle 

Show me a great organization, and I’ll show you great leadership at the top and  throughout that organization. This organization—Edward Jones—is no exception.  You’ve great leadership at the top.

Jim, on behalf of the thousands of volunteers, this community, and staff that make up United Way, I present you with this plaque to say  thank you.

Thank you for your leadership; for creating the conditions that yielded an  amazing campaign by Edward Jones; and for all you’ve done prior to today for United  Way and our region. We salute you; we appreciate you; we thank you and the people  of your firm. Thank you.