ABOUT OUR CAUSES

 

Choosing the causes the Harry Stout Foundation supports is a rather simple process. If it has to do with children and it was near and dear to Harry, that’s what we do. Below is our current list of causes. We say current because as the foundation grows, so does the scope of our effort. Whatever comes in goes back out to help life changing causes for young people.

Harry Stout Rocks

“Harry Stout Rocks” (HSR) is a cause inspired by Harry’s love of live music. An aspiring bass player, Harry would often attend his father’s band practices and helped out as a “roadie” whenever the opportunity came about. Harry also played trumpet in the Middle School Band.

HSR is devoted to providing the joy of live music to school programs in South West Michigan who are facing budget cuts and financial challenges. With the support of our sponsors, particularly RIT Music, WZUU/WQXC, and Blue Crescent Digital we are able to provide schools in a four county region with thousands of dollars of new musical gear for their music programs!

 

It brings us great joy to know these musical instruments and equipments will positively impact generations of students for years to come. Harry loved music and he loved people even more and it is our truest hope that the contributions by “Harry Stout Rocks” inspire others to do the same.

HSF Scholarships

Since the inception of the foundation, $43,000 in scholarships has been awarded to over 40 students who display kindness, compassion and the desire to help others. We believe helping these young people out will in turn help thousands more in the future.

First Day Shoes

“First Day Shoes” is a local non-profit agency that provides new shoes to children from economically challenged homes. The decision align with First Day Shoes was inspired by something Harry did when he was third grader at Gilkey Elementary in Plainwell, Michigan. Harry had a classmate whose family was having financial difficulty and he shared with his mother and me how it made him feel. He realized andappreciated how fortunate he was to not face those kinds of hardships and also felt compelled to take action to help out in any way he could. Harry asked his mother to take him to the local shoe store where he purchased a new pair of shoes for his classmate….with his own money… and then placed them in the student’s locker without letting him know where they came from.

HSF is thrilled to work with First Day Shoes and looks forward to growing their contribution.

AMBUC's

In 2007, HSF contributed $ 500.00 to AMBUC’s Service Club for the purchase of a very special bicycle for a special young lady. Known as an AM-TRIKE, the bikes are made specifically for children with physical disabilities who can’t ride a traditional bicycle.

Special Contributions

 

Since 2005, HSF has contributed to some very special causes benefitting young people in our community battling illness/extreme hospital costs.

In respecting their privacy, we will not list the recipients of these contributions