LaGrange County Community Foundation named Erica Cook of Wolcottville the recipient of the 2020 Heart of Gold Award on October 16 with a surprise announcement.

Unlike in years past when the announcement was made at a special dinner celebration, the Heart of Gold Award was announced with an in-person surprise entourage and released to the public via video.   

Erica thinks of others before herself and is never afraid of any hard work, which may be a part of the process of being involved. She is continually looking for ways to make LaGrange County a better place.

Tami Maxey, nominator

A longtime volunteer, Cook is most recognized as a person serving individuals often providing basic needs and words of encouragement. Cook is often seen throughout the community volunteering in youth activities, events like Night to Shine, and fundraisers, like Kingdom Road Golf Outing. Cook, recently spearheaded Shine LaGrange, an online positivity campaign to bring awareness to businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19.  

Cook and her husband, Peter, own and operate, Cook’s Bison Ranch. Cook has served as a guardian for children in need, serves at the LaGrange Church of God, and is a past board member of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. Cook established the nonprofit, Kingdom Road Project, Inc., whose mission is to spread the love of Christ to those in need through charitable giving and support of Christian ministries throughout the world.

The Community Foundation received five nominations for the eleventh annual award. The 2020 nominees included Brittany Cowley of LaGrange, Larry Miller of Wolcottville, Stan Clark of Wolcottville, and Terry Andrews of Howe. Click here to read more about each outstanding nominee.

In honor of the nominees, the Community Foundation will provide matching gifts (up to $500) to five select funds, through October 31.