Michelle Cook and Hoosier Park Named Volunteer/Business of the Year

United Way Names Michelle Cook & Hoosier Park Racing Casino 2010

Volunteer and Business of the Year

Michelle Cook was announced as United Way of Madison County’s 2010 Volunteer of the Year at its annual meeting March 10 at the Paramount Theatre’s Hardacre Ballroom. This annual award recognizes the achievements of outstanding volunteers that have contributed time, talent and financial support to the community. Hoosier Park Racing Casino was named Business of the Year.

Michelle, Organizational Trainer Coordinator for Community Hospital Anderson, became involved with United Way of Madison County in 2004 coordinating the hospital’s employee campaign. She has led a committee of hospital volunteers every year since. Michelle’s campaign leadership has contributed to a four-year increase in employee giving, and a hospital online auction she initiated has generated $9,000 over the last two years. She also organized teams of hospital volunteers to weatherize homes in Elwood for the last two Operation Weatherization events.

According to United Way Immediate Past Board Chair and colleague Keith Trent, “Michelle has brought great leadership, innovation and creativity to the campaign at Community Hospital.  What makes her special is that she approaches other volunteer roles she has at Community Hospital in the same way-always giving 110%.” 

In addition, Michelle also lends her time to United Way’s community engagement committee. She is the president of the board for Healthy, Tobacco-Free Madison County, a member of Career Women of Anderson and a member of Indiana Society for Healthcare Education & Training. She is a member of East Main Street Christian Church in Elwood and has a wonderful family life with husband Mel and sons Brody and Cameron.

United Way Vice President Nancy Anderson said, “Michelle is truly dedicated to community service. I can always count on Michelle’s help and leadership. When we added Elwood households to our Operation Weatherization event, Michelle was the first to step up and lead the efforts. She identified community stakeholders, organized the teams of volunteers and even helped weatherize homes. ”