Page 61 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2023

GIVING BACK
Although he has selling cars and trucks in his rearview mirror, Butch Oustalet is far from retired. In fact, his most important work now lies on the road ahead, and the former car dealer is already making a giant impact on the Gulf Coast with the Butch Oustalet Foundation.
Oustalet is geared up and more excited than ever to change lives through the namesake foundation with a simple but profound mission that includes, helping to provide access to quality education for under-serviced dyslexia students, awarding college scholarships to financially strained families, supporting recovery programs for those struggling with addiction, and championing initiatives that will help curb homelessness and hunger.
“I realized I’ve been surrounded by and blessed by a community like no other,” he said. “I often say when I’m gone, I don’t want to be remembered as a good businessman. I want to be remembered as a good person. And I believe the Good Lord is guiding me to that goal.”
The foundation’s Executive Director Laura Lacoste said, “We believe that we are all blessed in some way, and by working together and leveraging our time and talents and resources, there’s no limit on the differences we can make.”
Lacoste added in the coming years the foundation will also host events to honor community leaders who are making a difference in South Mississippi.
“In retirement, I wish to devote my time with Laura to help people,” Oustalet said. “I was selling cars and trucks for 54 years. Now, I’m working on God’s team.”
The Butch Oustalet Foundation
228.678.5978 • 368 Courthouse Rd., Suite E, Gulfport www.ButchOustalet.org • Contact@ButchOustalet.org
Butch Oustalet.
story by Cherie Ward
photo courtesy of The Butch Oustalet Foundation
Bacot Foundation of South Mississippi
Together We Are Making a Difference
www.bacotfoundation.org
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
December 2023 | 61