During Patronage day, members voted for one of three causes they wanted GreenStone’s $20,000 donation to go towards, health and wellness, local disaster relief, or sustainability and environment. The cause selected was: Disaster Relief.
To support the local communities, staff from each of GreenStone’s branches then came together to each identify eight organizations from throughout our territory whose mission aligns with disaster relief for the cooperative to support. The total $20,000 donation was split between each of the regionally-selected charities and each organization received $2,500 per nomination. We are proud to announce the results of the 2022 Member Grown Outreach program:
Michigan AgrAbility, selected by two of GreenStone’s regions, received a check for $5,000 to support their mission of providing services to farmers with amputations and paralysis, disabilities, illnesses or aging conditions so they can continue the occupation and lifestyle they love.
American Red Cross was also identified by two regions and each of the two local chapters selected, Northeast Wisconsin Chapter and Michigan Region, each received a check for $2,500 to continue supporting communities impacted by natural disasters, house fires or other environmental or economic loss. GreenStone continues to work with both chapters to plan a blood drive to make an even greater impact.
South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority was selected as an organization for the cooperative to support and will be receiving a check for $2,500. The fire authority will be using the donation from GreenStone to train their firefighters on grain bin safety and how to quickly and correctly respond to on-farm disasters.
Community Action Agency promotes self-sufficiency in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties through programming, advocacy and leadership, and the $2,500 check from GreenStone will support their ongoing mission of assisting families and community members facing hardship due to economic or environmental disasters.
Midland Area Community Foundation was selected to receive $2,500 and the donation will be allocated towards the foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund to assist the community with future environmental disasters. The fund supports families and community members impacted by an array of natural disasters through offering temporary support, housing, or resources.
Bay Area Community Foundation brings together financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses with the ideas, projects and leading efforts of our local nonprofit and government entities to create change and support our community. GreenStone’s $2,500 donation will support their disaster relief fund to provide aid to for families with economic or environmental hardships.
This year marks the fourth Member Grown Outreach program and GreenStone is honored to have given back over $60,000 to organizations throughout Michigan and northeast Wisconsin since 2018. It’s crucial that as a cooperative, GreenStone continues to support the communities it serves and is grateful for the ongoing support and involvement from both members and employees to carry this mission forward.
For more information on GreenStone’s continuous support of agriculture and rural communities, visit www.GreenStoneFCS.com/community.
To view the article in the online 2022 Summer Partners Magazine, click here.
