Five Stones Donates to Mercy

April 11, 2017

Mary Brainerd (right) accepting Five Stone’s donation from Joni Green (left) of behalf of Mercy.

Mary Brainerd (right) accepting Five Stone’s donation from Joni Green (left) of behalf of Mercy.

Five Stones Research Corporation created their Stepping Stones Corporate Charity Program to provide their employees the opportunity to give back to their community. On April 4th, in Huntsville, Alabama, Five Stones welcomed nine organizations to receive their charitable donations. Mercy Multiplied was included in those eight, and received the second largest donation of $4,138.

Chief Executive Officer of Five Stones Research Corporation, Joni Green, described her past experience as a startup company in the community and reminisced on people that had poured into her when she first started out. She explained how much she appreciated the mentorship throughout the years and her desire to give back to the community.

“Fundraising was always a critical piece, so I have a soft spot for charities and raising funds because I’ve been there. I’ve done that for different groups, and this is a way for us to be able to ease that,” said Green. “I feel their pain, know what they’re going through. You can’t do what you want to do if you don’t have the funding to make that happen. We now have a platform and a position to be able to give. So why not give?”

The name of Five Stones Research Corporation was even inspired by such challenges. The “five stones” included in the business’s name came from the biblical passage 1 Samuel 17:40, referencing the five stones David was able to defeat Goliath with: “…and he chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook…” The stones represent the research corporation’s culture and values: quality, courage, honesty, integrity, and trust.

Representatives from designated charities accepting their donations

Representatives from designated charities accepting their donations

Green also has a history in youth group ministry and believes it is important to give back. “Being able to extend helping hands throughout our community and support the passions of our employees – that means a lot for our company culture and us as an organization.”

The company created an employee committee that established which charities employees had the option to donate to. Some employees chose to donate to all eight. Five Stones Corporation matched the gifts up to $200. Roughly 185 employees donated to total an amount of $22,797.

“I absolutely love that my employees are passionate. They’re passionate about their jobs, the events, community, and charities they involve themselves in – not only with their money, but also with their time,” Green spoke of her employees.

Five Stones joined forces with the Community Foundation at the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce to honor their employees’ donations. In addition to Mercy Multiplied, the beneficiaries included: The Care Center; Autism Society of America; The Independent Fund, Inc.; Homes for Our Troops; Fisher House; CASA; WEDC Foundation; and Women’s Business Center of North Alabama (WBCNA), now the Catalyst.

If you would like to donate to Mercy Multiplied please click here.