(L-R)  Donna and Scott Stutsman,  (Eldon’s  Grandson); Amanda and Tyler Stutsman, (Eldon was Tyler’s Great-Grandfather); Mary VanHouten, Chair of the Camp Courageous Board of Directors; Ron Stutsman, (Eldon was Ron’s father); Logan and Amber Stutsman, (Eldon was Logans Great-Grandfather); Brooke and Wyatt Cook (Eldon was Brook’s Great-Grandfather); and Brooke and Logan are Scott and Donna’s children.  Tyler and Tanner are not pictured and  are Mark’s children.

This year’s Pineapple Gala recognized the 2024 Trailblazer Award recipients, Camp’s dear friends the Stutsman Family and the Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc family owned business, headquartered in beautiful Hills, IA.  Camp Courageous’ relationship with the Stutsman Family and business began over 40-years ago when Company Founder, Eldon C. Stutsman was attending an Old Capital Kiwanis meeting in Iowa City and Camp Courageous was the program.  Eldon Stutsman’s passion for people and helping others led him to love all things Camp Courageous.  Dating back to the early 80s, he would make monthly road trips to the camp with a trunk full of needed items. This passion has continued through generations of the Stutsman family and the business.  From the Camp’s Needs List, printed in the Camp’s newsletter, The Courier, Eldon quickly saw where there were Camp needs that his company could provide the Camp.  Thus began a direct tie between the Camp and the Eldon C. Stutsman Inc which began as bags of salt for Camp’s water softening system to bags of wood shavings for the camp’s animals.

Eldon passed at the age of 87 in 2002, but his legacy lived on in the family and company’s continued support of Camp Courageous.  It not only lived on, it grew by leaps and bounds.  A few sacks of salt turned into a pallet or two, which grew to a semi load, which the Camp goes through in a year.   In addition, one of the most remarkable things the Eldon C Stutsman Company ever did for Camp Courageous was to deliver semi loads after semi loads of bentonite for Camp’s Lake Todd all the way from Montana to Camp!

Over the decades the Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc has introduced thousands of new friends to Camp Courageous.  Almost every Open House, Golf Outing or Special Event, they are doing something to raise awareness and/or money for Camp Courageous.

 It has been a wonderful relationship, that has lasted half the company’s life.  It has been an honor to know and love the company’s’ founder, Eldon C. Stutsman, and Camp Courageous looks forward to many more great years.

In sincere appreciation to the Eldon C. Stutsman Company & Family Camp Courageous was honored to present them with the Camp Courageous Trailblazer Award, for being true trailblazers to Camp Courageous.  The Plaque reads,   “In sincere appreciation of exceptional dedication in making possible the dream of coming to Camp Courageous a reality for thousands of campers with disabilities.”  Congratulations to the Stutsman Family and Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc.!