![\"David](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/DStone-web.jpg\")
<\/a>\u201cWhen my wife and I started this brokerage a little over two years ago we wanted to start something that resonated with us, that felt good,\u201d Stone said. \u201cThat was giving back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ever since, the Stones have faithfully contributed to numerous local charities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been everything form Monarch School [serving K-12 students impacted by homelessness] to Kid\u2019s Court to Mama\u2019s Kitchen [benefiting AIDS victims],\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\n
The Stones’ business name, Greater Good, reflects the couples’ philanthropic bent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spent time trying to determine a name that we thought truly was what we were doing, what we were trying to accomplish,\u201d Stone said.\u00a0\u201cFortunately, that domain was available as well as the phone number 619-GREATER (473-2837) that we also have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their business name \u201cGreater Good\u201d also fits well with their business tag line, \u201cproviding expert real estate services with a passion for community.\u201d<\/p>\n
A printer-turned Realtor and Pittsburgh native who came to San Diego by way of Chicago, Ill., Stone is also a hat aficionado.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat’s my schtick,\u201d he said, sporting one of his daily headpieces, which hang on the wall of his office at\u00a0639 Kettner Blvd. between G Street and Harbor Drive and adjacent\u00a0to the trolley track.<\/p>\n
Stone talked about the criteria the couple use when choosing charities to donate to.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst we want them to be truly local organizations,\u201d he said. \u201cNumber two, children and teens resonate more with us, so we enjoy participating with types of organizations that serve those groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Stones have some lofty goals for their philanthropy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve stated from day one that we want to be the first real estate company to be able to donate more than $1 million to charity,\u201d Stone said.<\/p>\n
How near are they to achieving that goal?<\/p>\n
\u201cNowhere close,\u201d Stone answered with a laugh, but he was quick to add they’ve only been at it a couple of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve contributed tens of thousands of dollars, slicing off and donating from every [real estate] transaction,\u201d he said. \u201cWe’ve put $10,000 into our donation account so that when we stumble upon organizations like Photocharity, we’re able to donate. It’s not like we have to sell so many houses this month to be able to donate. We want to make sure that we’re proactive in our savings for charities.\u201d<\/p>\n
One charity on the receiving end of the Stones’ largess is Photocharity, a nonprofit that rescues homeless teens from the street.<\/p>\n
Photocharity is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for charitable organizations that empower youth to make better choices. Homeless and disadvantaged youth have been the group’s prime area of focus over the organization’s 12-plus years. Youth benefit through fundraising events, public outreach and programs that include public speaking, music and photography.<\/p>\n
\u201cDavid Stone has got a big heart,\u201d said Jeffrey Sitcov, owner\/founder of Photocharity, about one of his\u00a040 or so patrons whom he calls \u201cangels.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe [Stone] actually went to the walk we had last year and was very touched listening to homeless youth speaking,\u201d Sitcov said. \u201cHe said, ‘I want to help more.’ Now he’s one of our major sponsors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitcov noted Photocharity needs to \u201cfind more people like David Stone,\u201d to help reduce the shockingly high number of approximately 3,000 homeless teens countywide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go out on the streets and find these kids and bring them into shelters,\u201d he said, adding that Photocharity also offers kids a way out of homelessness through its award-winning music and arts program, as well as providing other wrap-around services such as free medical.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe give them a hand-up, not a handout,\u201d Sitcov said.\u00a0\u201cPeople have no clue there are that many of those kids in our community because they’re hidden. It’s mind boggling that there’s no place for these kids to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitcov said Photocharity has an excellent track record in rescuing homeless youth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve helped 1,800 kids get into housing,\u201d he said. \u201cWe just need to find more David Stones so that we can help more kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sitcov and his patrons, including Stone, are gearing up for Photocharity’s big fundraising gala, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. at the Del Mar Hilton Hotel. For more information about Photocharity and its activities, visit photocharity.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stone said the 10 percent figure they use for charitable donations is just a round number to work with. He hopes\u00a0he and his wife’s\u00a0charitable giving can be sustainable.<\/p>\n \u201cWill it go up in the future? Hopefully. Will it go down? Hopefully not,\u201d he said. \u201cIt’s [10 percent] just a good solid number that people will recognize and appreciate and know that it’s not nickels and dimes, that it’s real dollars that are going back to the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Is the Stones’ model for charitable donation something that can be replicated?<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Stone said. \u201cThere are other organizations \u2014 not necessarily in the real estate industry \u2014 that have their philanthropic divisions and endeavors.\u201d<\/p>\n While he understands not everyone can give the same amount that he and his wife have committed to do, Stone said there are ways we all can help others in need.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn’t have to be 10 percent,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn’t have to be one percent. If you have the funds to do it \u2014 then go ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n Stone noted there are other ways, short of money, to contribute to charity.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can do sweat equity, like participating in organizations like Habitat For Humanity, where you don’t have to donate money,\u201d he suggested. \u201cYou just donate your time, muscle and sweat to make it happen. If everyone did that, just think of the difference we could make.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information about the Stones and their boutique Downtown San Diego real estate office, call 619-473-2837)\u00a0or visit greatergoodrealty.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n