A Philosophy of Giving…and Caring
It isn’t unusual to have individual or groups contact the company to ask for donations of money or services. In 2004 COS supported a literacy program run by author Deborah LeBlanc and in 2005 through 2011 COS has consistently supported Lori Foster’s program which includes charities for soldiers, impoverished families of Ohio and the local animal shelter.
COS gives to persons as well as groups. In 2008 COS CEO Sheila Clover English received an email from a colleague that spoke of an author who was too ill from chemo to promote her book. Sheila asked the COS family of editors if anyone would help create a video at no charge and so editor and VP of COS Victoria Fraasa created and donated a video for The Liar’s Diary by Patry Francis. The video went viral. In early 2011 the company was asked to donate something for a woman who had worked in the romance genre for many years. The woman’s husband was murdered and she had three children to support. COS donated video and social media packages brining in over $1200 for the charity event. And most recently COS donated several services to two charity events held for bestselling author L.A. Banks who was suffering, and finally lost her battle, with cancer.
“The longer you’re in this industry, the smaller it becomes,” shares Sheila English, “You get to know people. You care about them.” COS donates thousands of dollars every year to charitable causes and individuals in need. “It’s humbling. You see all of these people rally for someone or something they believe in, whether they are personally connected to that person, or thing, or not. They have a heart like no one in any other industry I’ve ever worked in and everyone gives.” English goes on to say, “With Patry, I had never met her. I had lost several loved ones to cancer and so this was personal to me in a way. And all the people who showed up online to help her were amazing! I was proud to be a part of that.”
“I think you should always be willing to serve the industry that supports you,” English summarizes the COS philosophy of giving.
