Acknowledgement:
More than Words
With 37 locations throughout Michigan and northeast Wisconsin, GreenStone is rooted in the rural communities we serve. We know being a good neighbor means being there
GreenStone’s CoreFour Values are a driving force
to support one another in good times and tough
behind our dedicated employees and their efforts
times, and lending a helping hand whenever we
within their communities. The cooperative’s
can. That is one of the reasons GreenStone takes
leadership team encourages employees to get
such an active role in supporting local charities
involved within their communities and supports their
and organizations that work tirelessly to make our
involvement by providing each staff member with
communities a better place to call home.
paid time off to participate in such activities. Whether
Throughout 2012, GreenStone contributed more
it means volunteering time or donating money, our
than $670,000 to various community groups; young, beginning and small farmer initiatives; youth programs; and multi-cultural organizations; and supported a wide range of causes that are important
475-plus employees are committed to supporting the communities that support GreenStone. In 2012, our staff volunteered more than 3,000 hours supporting a diverse group of organizations and causes.
to our members. Volunteer Focus:
Cheryl also serves as a member
volunteering at Ele’s Place in
of the Ele’s Place volunteer
Cheryl Carlton has been with
2010 along with her daughter,
committee which allows her to
GreenStone for five years,
Becky. As a family greeter,
help in the recruitment of new
and currently works in the
Cheryl spends two hours at Ele’s
volunteers, as well as coordinate
organization’s legal department.
Place each Wednesday night
their training. She also assists
She is a perfect example of
getting to know the families.
with planning of special events
an employee putting the
Learning about the journey that
and fundraisers for the facility.
cooperative’s CoreFour Values
has brought each family to the
into action. When Cheryl
center is an honor for her.
“Working with the new
isn’t working hard to service GreenStone’s more than 23,000 members, she is spending her spare time making a difference working with Lansing, Michigan based Ele’s Place; a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families.
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to her community, Cheryl began
volunteers is something I find
“I can’t think of a better way to
particularly gratifying,” she
spend my Wednesday evenings.
said. “Seeing their faces after
The families get to know you
they have completed their first
and depend on you to be there
volunteer shift at Ele’s Place is a
to help them through their
joy, and knowing our volunteer
grieving process,” said Cheryl.
staff is making a difference in
“Volunteering at Ele’s keeps me
the lives of these families who
grounded. Knowing what these
have faced so much adversity is
families are going through helps
truly rewarding.”
me realize we need to live each
To learn more about Ele’s Place,
Born and raised in Lansing, and
day to its fullest with a positive
looking for a way to give back
attitude.”
visit www.elesplace.org.
GreenStone Farm Credit Services