Mission Statement

Bringing people and opportunity together through community involvement and revitalization.

Gregory L. Cooke Mem. Fund

GREGORY LIN COOKE

      The Gregory Lin Cooke Memorial Fund was started in 1993 after Gregory was killed in a fatal car crash at the age of 19.  His parents, Maury & Audrey took their retirement funds and pooled it with donations from family & friends made in Gregory’s honor.


     $500,000 was raised and thus began the GLC Memorial Fund.  Its purpose; “to help children by building strong networks of support.”  Today that small fund has seeded, incubated and supported businesses, individuals, and organizations.  The list is impressive, from youth services to home construction, fashion industry to health services, educators and consultants, performing artists, with mindfulness and sustainability activists.  The commonality between all of these organizations, individuals and agencies is that they are about a holistic approach to community development,


"The Gregory Link Cooke Story – Building Community from the Heart" 
 Now in production and filmed by the award winning filmmaker Kat Moon ("Crab Feast or Famine"  aired on PBS),  this 10 minute story tells how community members pooled their talent and resources into a fund that has been the start of over 20 businesses and organizations. A compelling story that showcases the lives and youth affected by this fund and how the celebration of one life can spread its roots throughout the community and beyond...   
YOUTUBE MESSAGE
(YouTube Message)

We want to give every child in our community the tools to deliver their potential, compassion & loving kindness.  Maury Wise Cooke

Businesses that have been supported by the 
Gregory Lin Cooke Memorial fund...
      Quality Roofing              Face II Face Productions       Allen Lanier R.A.  
The Center for Community Development Inc.          VA Arts Festival's Rhythm Project
    Urban Arts Center          One Love Steel Pan Ensemble     EarthSong Farm                
      Inward Bound Mindfulness Education            Urban Sound Entertainment 
Aarow Construction            Sawyer Steel Pan Tuning    Minervacorp                 
McConnie Computer Systems                                       P. Burns Arts Manager

and more...