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The LOOK Foundation
When Ray and Darlene Henry decided to create a charitable organization, they knew they wanted to concentrate on helping children in some way. A close friend, Ann, said “Oh, do something to provide coats and shoes for kids that really need them!” That remark struck close to home to both Ray and Darlene, since both had come from poverty situations in their childhood. As they were searching for charities in the St. Louis area that did provide clothing to children, their friends, Mike and Carol Lay, told them about the Little Bit Foundation. As Mike Lay explained Little Bit and its mission, he captured the Henry’s interest. It didn’t take long for Ray and Darlene to create a name for their own foundation – Let’s Outfit Our Kids, quickly became the LOOK Foundation, and its mission statement to provide clothing, coats and shoes to distressed and underprivileged children automatically fell into place. They enlisted their daughter, Kathleen Machisen, to assist them, and she has become the Director of their foundation.
Ray was born into a family of 13 children, and the children were expected to work with their father to help provide for the large family. There was no time for play, and little time for school. Ray left the family at the age of 17, headed to Chicago to live with an older brother and work in a cookie factory as a janitor. He quickly caught the attention of his supervisors and rose to a management position in less than 4 years. He enlisted in the Navy and enrolled in any and every course offered to give himself the education he was unable to receive as a youngster. He returned to the cookie factory, continued to excel, and in the early 90’s made a bold and daring venture to start his own factory with the solid participation of his wife, Darlene.
Darlene was born under extreme poverty conditions in a family of many, many children, most of whom were given to various orphanages. She remembers owning two dresses, no shoes or coat, and being extremely hungry and cold as a young child. Luckily, at the age of 10, a wonderful couple adopted her and she received the advantages of a “normal middle class” home. Eager for approval, she married young, had four children, limited income, and near-poverty conditions. Determination for a better life propelled her to work hard and study hard, and she was able to gain management positions in her career. When Darlene and Ray made the decision to venture into the world of entrepreneurship, they pledged an “all or nothing” attitude to each other. In a span of 15 years, they established a successful business, sold the operation to a large snack company, and happily retired with the mission of “paying it forward”.
Kathleen has worked in administrative positions for 25 years and has worked with Ray and Darlene in their former business for 9 years. She is dedicated to The LOOK Foundation’s mission and feels blessed to have the opportunity to share in this very rewarding path.
It was a huge surprise to learn that The Little Bit’s core was so small – two founders, Rose and Elyse, and a handful of volunteers – and yet, they diligently supply about 3,000 kids with coats and shoes, as well as other types of clothing. Their dedication is unreal – they believe in their purpose so much that the days and hours run together without complaints. They started this foundation because they wanted to help in some small way, they never lost sight of their goals, they gained the understanding of their families, they engaged volunteers to feel the power of giving, and today they provide so much for so many kids, and it’s still a small operation. The Little Bit has a tiny office, and yet, several thousand children have benefitted from their efforts. When they visit a school, they become involved and close to the teachers and volunteers, as well as the children.