Oct 26, 2014 4 min read

The Washington County Community Foundation has announced the 2014 Philanthropists of the Year: William and Saundra Stout. The Stouts’ generosity to the community will be recognized at the WCCF’s annual Philanthropy Banquet on Nov. 20 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Southpointe. Mr. and Dr. Stout join a very distinguished list of previous honorees which includes Pete Cameron, Thomas R. Milhollan, E. Ronald Salvitti, MD, John L.S. Northrop and William B. Northrop, Frank Sarris, Joseph Hardy, III, Melvin and Lillian Bassi, Charles and Carol Keller, Genevieve Russell, John and Barbara Campbell, Dr. Angelo and Barbara Armenti, J. Barry Stout, Dr. Charles and Rita Tripoli, Armand Dellovade, and Sam & Bev Minor.

The WCCF, a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation with assets of approximately $17 million, works to promote and facilitate local philanthropy. The Foundation created the Philanthropist of the Year award in 1999 to recognize local philanthropists for exceptional generosity to the Washington County community. The award is normally presented during National Community Foundation week which falls in the middle of November. Criteria for the award are:

• Demonstrated exceptional generosity, relative to one’s ability to give, through personal financial gifts to local charitable causes.

• Demonstrated encouragement and motivation of others to financially support local charitable causes.

•Documented efforts to improve the quality of life in Washington County through volunteer leadership of local charitable and other community activities.

• Documented efforts to advance philanthropy in general.

William and Saundra Stout are both Washington County natives. Mr. Stout was raised in Bentleyville. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College with a liberal arts degree and helped to transform his family’s small enterprise, Atlas Railroad Construction, into a nationally-recognized business. He career culminated in 1986 when he assumed the role of president and owner of Atlas. He remained in that leadership position until the company was sold in 2010.

Dr. Stout grew up in Ellsworth. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from California University of Pennsylvania and later attended the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a doctorate in administration and policy studies, her certification in curriculum supervision, and both a principal’s and a superintendent’s letter of eligibility. One of her career highlights was pioneering a day-long kindergarten program for 4-year-olds in Allegheny County that was the first in the state.

Both Mr. and Dr. Stout have a similar outlook on life: serving the community is a necessity, with responsibility and respect for self and others at the center. Dr. Stout remarked, “If you are able to help people, it is not necessary to give money; it’s important to do whatever you can to help the people who need it.”

“We’ll always be part of Washington County,” Mr. Stout added. “Our lives are about service. We love the county and will always support the community as much as we can.”

Just a few of the Stouts’ passions include ensuring quality healthcare is available in the region, engaging in community outreach initiatives, promoting the arts, helping animals and supporting the next generation of teachers through scholarships (a cause that is particularly dear to them both).

Additionally, the Stouts are the motive power behind the WCCF’s innovative building project: creating a Foundation headquarters, charity training center, and Scotch-Irish museum at the historic Samuel T. Brownlee House in Eighty Four. Generosity donated by the couple in 2013, the Brownlee House was the Foundation’s first gift of real estate. The gift, which also included some furnishings and the gas and mineral rights, is valued at $400,000.

“My ancestors were Scotch-Irish farmers, so I am enthusiastic about the museum aspect. It’s better to return the house to the community. We are serious about preserving it and its history,” Mr. Stout remarked.

Proceeds from the Philanthropy Banquet will support the charitable activities of the WCCF, including the rehabilitation of the Samuel T. Brownlee House.

To make a reservation for the Philanthropy Banquet, contact the Washington County Community Foundation at 724-222-6330 or info@wccf.net.