Christmas is just around the corner, and in the spirit of the giving season we wanted to highlight a charity that we hold near and dear to our hearts. But first, here’s a little background on our Customer Referral Program and how it works…
Developing the Program: Giving Back
We began our Customer Referral Program on January 1, 2003 as a way to say Thank You to our clients, friends and associates and as a way to support local charities and organizations within our community.
Since 2003, we have supported a variety of organizations through this program, donating to our Charity of the Year for each referral that results in new business. A list of the charities that we have supported since the program’s inception can be seen here.
Establishing a Long-Term Relationship
In January 1, 2020 we designated the local charity “Helping Families Handle Cancer” (who was also our Charity of the Year in 2015) as the long-term recipient of our Customer Referral Program. We feel that by building a long-term relationship with this charity, we will better be able to assist them and the needs of those families they are helping. We also continue to support other local charities and events throughout the year.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our Customer Referral Program over the years and for the continued support and referrals to our business!
Helping Families Handle Cancer
Helping Families Handle Cancer Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2008 by Carie Stock, a childhood cancer survivor. At a young age, Carie was given a 10% chance of survival. Her mother was a single parent at the time, juggling the stress of bills, caring for an ill child, and raising another healthy child. Carie witnessed first hand the financial and emotional toll that her illness had on her family, and so she turned her life experience into her life’s work.
The foundation was designed to financially aid families who are dealing with childhood cancer. It attempts to alleviate financial stress by providing monetary support to those in need, specifically dedicating time to single parent families or those families living on one income. Clients of the foundation are referred directly by social workers from hospitals. The foundation organizes many different fundraising events throughout the year, including their Growing Smiles campaign.
In addition to her foundation, Carie has been involved in many activities, including funding for cancer research, sitting on the board of directors for a cancer charity for three years, attending worldwide conferences and support groups, and volunteering as a camp counselor and mentor at children’s camps for cancer survivors and their siblings. Carie is also the 2007 recipient of the Terry Fox Humanitarian Award and Global Television’s 2012 recipient of the Women of Vision Award.
The Spirit of Giving: How You Can Help
2020 has proven to be challenging for many people, including charities that provide support to some of the most vulnerable and in-need. If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful charity, or providing support if you are able, you can visit their website here.
Our Sincerest Appreciation
Thank you again to everyone who has supported our business through referrals of their friends, family and associates. In addition to the thank you postcards that we send out, we donate $5.00 to our Charity Partner for every referral that results in new business. This year, despite all of it’s challenges, we will be sending one of our largest donations yet!
We look forward to continuing to support Carie and her wonderful organization through our Referral Program in 2021 and beyond!
Thank you,
The Costen Insurance Team
