A. Cook's Books

It’s December 13th, which means Christmas is just twelve days away! Santa’s coming! Santa’s coming! Hooray!

Can you tell I’m excited?

In the spirit of the Season of Giving, I would like to play Santa myself to those who are less fortunate than me. From now until December 31, 2014, all royalties received from my book, The Golden Orb, will go to two charities of my choosing — one in my local community and one that helps those in need around the world.

The first, Shalom Community Center, is an organization that was created to help the homeless in my hometown. It is “the only safe, daytime resource center in Monroe County for people who are living in poverty and experiencing its ultimate expressions: hunger, homelessness, and a lack of access to basic life necessities”. Shalom provides those in need with shelter, food, social services, and even showers and laundry facilities. I have visited the center twice in the past to drop off donations from my mom’s group, and the number of people being helped there is truly astounding. Every little bit from the outside community helps Shalom help those in the most need.

The other charity to which I would like to give is Heifer International, an amazing organization fighting to end world hunger and poverty. (Catching a theme, here?) Heifer does this by providing families in need with livestock and/or farming implements along with the education to care for their animals and land, thus creating a sustainable living through the profits they receive from the meat, vegetables, wool, etc. they produce. One proponent of Heifer International is to empower women living in poverty worldwide, from helping them to launch their own small businesses to sending their daughters to school. I have been giving to Heifer at Christmastime for a few years now, and I will continue to do so, because I believe in their mission of empowerment through sustainable living.

So, dear readers, I’m asking for your help. If you feel either or both of these charities are worth a bit of your time and money, please take a moment to go to https://acooksbooks.com/buy-the-golden-orb/, and buy a copy of The Golden Orb, either for yourself or a friend. Or, if you already have a copy, please share this post on all your favorite social media sites. It doesn’t matter if you buy a hardcover or one of the eBook versions. ALL of my December royalties will go to Shalom and Heifer, divided equally between the two. I’ll keep track of sales throughout the rest of the month, and after the New Year’s celebrations die down, I’ll send out a check (or PayPal payment) to each of the organizations.

Thanks, in advance, for your support and for reading. Happy holidays, dear readers.

A. Cook