Press Release

Gidieon Orion Cook

WARSAW — The Gidieon Orion Cook Memorial Fund, a component fund of Kosciusko County Community Foundation, has donated $2,200 to Baker Youth Club to support after-school programs.

Gidieon passed away in a tragic accident in the summer of 2019 when he was just eight years old. To honor his memory, Gidieon’s mother, Keri Cook, established a Community Fund at Kosciusko County Community Foundation.

Cook says having these funds available for the community means a lot to her, and would also mean a lot to Gidieon.

“The community was there to support and help me during my difficult loss and it is refreshing, and healing in a way, to know his name is still being recognized and remembered when those donations get delivered,” said Cook. “For Gidieon, the fund means he is still able to contribute to things he loved and would have enjoyed being a part of. Knowing that his fund is helping non-profits, after all the help we received, is comforting.”

BYC Executive Director Tracy Furnivall is grateful for the support, saying that the donation will help the organization with its day-to-day operations.

“It is such a blessing to receive these funds through the Community Foundation,” said Furnivall. “Donations like this are a crucial part of being able to provide things such as food and transportation. This gift helps us to focus on what is important, which is working with the kids and helping with their development.”

As a Community Fund, the Gidieon Orion Cook Memorial Fund responds to the changing needs in the county. Community Funds make grants to support programs that provide services and resources to low-income families, provide arts and cultural experiences in the area, nonprofit childcare programs, recreational projects, and so much more.

Gifts to the Gidieon Orion Cook Memorial Fund can be made online at www.kcfoundation.org or via check to 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, Indiana 46580 with “Gidieon Cook” in the memo line.