OUR STORY

Established in 1980, The Festus & Helen Stacy Foundation was formed through two special people with a heart for the Gospel and blessing the lives of others. The Stacy’s legacy has been passed down through their family who now hold this commitment which is dear to them personally.

The Stacy Foundation was funded by the APenn and Penn Champ oil and manufacturing companies. Festus Stacy founded these entities in Butler, Pennsylvania during 1932. He led as President/CEO over these corporations until he sold them in 1962.

Stacy was a colorful, cigar-loving, no-nonsense salesman who grew up selling buggy whips at his father's hardware store in his small hometown of Princeton, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Stacy grew up in the church with a strong heritage of faith. In a letter Festus once wrote, "Evangelism is the greatest business in the world."  Stacy's words of faith still resonate today: "Confess your mistakes, your sins, give me your soul, have confidence in Me, I will save your life, you will live forever, just believe, have faith. You know, it was the best deal I was ever offered. So I said, Christ, you got a deal!"

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Helen was a woman portrayed by love & grace, always putting others before herself. She watched over her household, children, and grandsons with a soft spirit of laughter, dignity, wisdom, and warmth. Helen's fun-loving spirit was reflective of her Christ-centered outlook on life. Her faith never wavered, even in the face of tragedy.

During May 1966, their 19-year-old daughter, Irene Helen Stacy, died in an automobile accident. Understanding that God was in control and life is but a vapor, this event served as a catalyst for Stacy's increased generosity and devotion to God.

The Stacy family always enjoyed worldwide travel, which sparked their passion and vision for worldwide missions. The Stacys maintained Pennsylvania and Florida residences until retirement, when Helen and Festus moved exclusively to their Fort Lauderdale, Florida home.

Helen Miller Stacy 1907 – 2002 * Festus Stacy 1902 – 1995

Today the Stacy Foundation work lives on through family and staff.