Page 141 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2023

story by Cherie Ward photo by Teddy Lewis
AT THE WHEEL OF NEW FOUNDATION
After 54 years in the automotive business, Butch Oustalet has traded in his keys so he can make an even bigger community impact.
“The people that worked with me are family,” Oustalet said. “I felt they needed new fresh blood in the organization to motivate them so they could do even better than they did with me. I wouldn’t be the success that I am in the community without the 100 people that worked with me at the dealerships and I wanted to take care of them first.”
But don’t think for a turbocharged second Oustalet, affectionately known as “Big O” throughout the Gulf Coast and beyond, will sit idle now that he’s handed over both of his dealerships to Jonathan Allen, president of J. Allen Automotive. “I’m very proud of everything Jonathan has accomplished, and I wanted to help him do even better,” Oustalet said.
Oustalet’s drive is now aimed at helping others with the Butch Oustalet Foundation and expanding charitable opportunities on the Coast, such as assisting the Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia in Ocean Springs.
“It’s the only dyslexia school in South Mississippi and one of only two in the
whole state so that means they are
serving the
entire Gulf Coast and dyslexia doesn’t discriminate,” said Laura Lacoste, who Oustalet has tapped as the executive director of his foundation. “They were at capacity, and they just moved to a new building and then they were immediately at capacity,” she added. “Before long they’ll need more space to serve even more children.”
The foundation has also built a playground at the St. James Catholic School in Gulfport. “People ask me why a playground,” Oustalet said. “And it’s because we have to start early talking to kids about positive attitudes and love for their fellow man. Frankly, a lot happens with children on the playground and
it’s an incredible place to start making a positive impact.”
Also on the foundation’s horizon are helping the homeless and organizing a Coast-wide humanitarian of the year black tie event. “And that’s just the tip
of the iceberg,” Lacoste said. “When he asked me to lead the foundation there was no way I could say no. Butch is such an inspiration to me because he has given
so much to so many and in a lot of ways that have not even been publicized. He truly puts God first and lets God lead the way so His blessings can flow through him and out to others. He’s just got the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known, and I
can’t imagine a more amazing mentor.”
The foundation will continue Oustalet’s dedication to the Home of Grace, faith- based addiction recovery centers in Vancleave and Gautier. “The Home of Grace means a lot to me,” Oustalet said. “I think that every family just to some degree struggles with addiction and that’s why I built a house at the Home of Grace that houses eight men at a time so we can help tremendous families stay together.”
Oustalet’s commitment to education with scholarships and programs and to healthcare with donations will also be supported by the foundation. “I believe very strongly and so does Laura that the answer to our future is the youth of the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Oustalet said.
Oustalet credits his parents for his strong work ethic and generous nature. His father asked him to learn all
aspects of the family car business so he could understand what it takes to be a compassionate leader, and his mother was a teacher with a strong focus on taking care of the less fortunate. “I’m a firm believer that we all need to encourage each other,” he said. “Most importantly, the people of the Mississippi Gulf Coast have encouraged me to help even more so it’s important to me that I do my fair share and I’m trying to do that every day.”
Visit www.butchoustalet.org for additional information.
The Butch Oustalet Foundation is a donor advised fund under the Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi.
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