By Carrie Ritchie
ccritchi@indiana.edu
On Christmas day, Gayle Cook unwrapped a special gift from her husband, Bill. It was a $3 million check for her to give to the Monroe County Historical Society, an organization she has spent years of her life developing with other community members who share her appreciation of history.
"She said this was what Santa brought her, and she wanted to share her Christmas gift with us," said Rachel Peden McCarty, president of MCHS and a longtime friend of Cook's. "We're elated. This is the best thing that could happen to us."
McCarty said the MCHS had set a goal to raise $30,000 this year for its Founder's Endowment, which covers the society's operating expenses of running its museum, genealogy library and gift shop, and Cook had promised to match the $30,000 if the society could raise it. Because the members met their goal, McCarty was expecting a check, but not one of such a large amount.
"We had no idea she'd match it and put so many zeros on the end," McCarty said.
Only McCarty and MCHS Treasurer David Musgrave knew the amount of the endowment before representatives from Cook Group Inc. -- Bill Cook's Bloomington-based global medical technology distribution company -- presented the check to the historical society Thursday.
The group has yet to decide where the money will go. McCarty said the group will hold a special "dream session" at its next board meeting so members can discuss how they think the money should be distributed. Improving exhibits and strengthening a relationship with the community through outreach and advertising will be among the society's goals, she said.
"The dreams are endless," McCarty said. "I think we'll just do whatever we can to uphold our mission statement, (which is) to collect, preserve, research, interpret and exhibit genealogy, history and artifacts of Monroe County."
Above all, McCarty said she is excited because the endowment ensures that the society, which has only one full-time employee, won't have to "close (its) doors" or "offer less." She also hopes this gift will inspire others to volunteer.
"If you can't give money, give time," she said. "Join us in preserving and showcasing our history."
Cook herself has volunteered at the MCHS for decades. She was one of the members who worked to move the museum and library to its current location on Sixth Street 25 years ago and now serves on the society's advisory board, McCarty said.
Though Cook has donated both time and money to the MCHS, this is its largest donation yet to the MCHS.
"We're blessed to have people like the Cooks in this community," Musgrave said.
David McCarty, Cook Group Inc.'s director of public relations, said while the Cooks like to donate to local projects, the company is also active in philanthropy worldwide.
"The Cook organization around the world is committed to community involvement and giving back to the communities that support the organization," he said.
For the MCHS community, the Cook endowment came during a milestone for the organization. This year marks the society's 100th birthday and the museum and library's 25th birthday.
On behalf of MCHS, McCarty described the past few weeks.
"What a way to celebrate a birthday," she said.
