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OPINION
Doing good is good business
Giving back is a responsibility that strengthens communities, builds better businesses, and reminds leaders their greatest impact starts beyond the blueprint.
G iving your time, effort, and money isn’t just a kind gesture – it’s a responsibility. If not us and our community, then who? I came to this realization as a young man while serving in the Army National Guard to help pay for college. During a semester break, I took a job as a shopping mall Santa. What started as a way to earn some extra money for school became a life-changing experience. I was deeply moved by the children I met – many of whom carried burdens far heavier than a wish list for gifts. Sometimes it was the hard questions for Santa that stayed with me. Like when kids ask less about toys and treats and share more about loss or longing. Their unfiltered honesty can shift how you see the world.
Wallace Smith, PE
Another transformative experience was serving in the Persian Gulf War. Witnessing so many people in desperate and hopeless circumstances – and seeing how simple acts of human kindness, like offering food, water, or medical care, could make a profound difference – completely shifted my perspective. It made me realize how blessed I am and that I was duty bound to help others. For more than 30 years now, I’ve had the privilege of working with organizations across Central Arkansas – Women and Children First, Goodness Village, and many others. Whether I’m leading a capital campaign,
mentoring students, or simply putting on a Santa suit to bring joy to children in crisis, I’ve found that community service is not just good, it’s essential. And it’s more than giving dollars; it’s about looking someone in the eye, listening to them with intention, and forging real human connections. That’s where the heart of service truly lives. WHY IT MATTERS TO COMMUNITIES. Our communities face complex challenges: housing insecurity, lack of access to healthcare, and
See WALLACE SMITH, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER DECEMBER 15, 2025, ISSUE 1613
ELEVATE THE INDUSTRY®
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