The Cook Family Charitable Fund, a nonprofit organization founded in 2006 with a mission of raising funds for families dealing with cancer, substance use and intellectual disabilities, has selected Trudy Avery of Sandwich, MA as the organization’s new Executive Director.

In this role, she will work with Cook Family Charitable Fund co-founder Peter Cook and the other team members to direct and support fundraising and community outreach activities, as well as oversee the day-to-day activities of the organization.

Ms. Avery joins the Cook Family Charitable Fund following a very successful fundraising career. Most recently, she was National Development Officer for the Wernersville, PA based Caron Treatment Centers, developing a comprehensive action plan with the organization’s New England staff and overseeing all New England fundraising events, including their Annual Gala. She also developed an action plan with the New England staff, incorporating team efforts through alumni relations, student assistance programs, and business development branding and leadership.

Before her affiliation with Caron Treatment Centers, she was the Director of Advancement for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, MA. She is also the former Director of Annual Giving for the USS Constitution Museum in Boston, former Membership Manager at Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, and Senior Philanthropic Officer at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

Ms. Avery earned her Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York (SUNY) Excelsior College, and a Certificate in Meeting Management from Bentley University.

She is active in a number of community organizations. She serves on the Massachusetts Organization of Addiction Recovery (MOAR) and the Bourne Substance Free Coalition. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Bourne/Sandwich, the Kiwanis Club of Sandwich, and the Philanthropy Partners of Cape Cod and the Islands.

Trudy Avery and her husband Rick live in Sandwich. They are parents to four sons.

Of her new role she said, “I am thrilled to be joining the Cook Family Charitable Fund with an opportunity to raise funds to support people with cancer, substance abuse and intellectual disabilities,” she said. “All of us have been touched by one or more of these issues and it is great to be part of an organization that does so much to help people.”

Peter Cook Sr., co-founder, said, “The Cook Family Charitable Fund is most fortunate to have Trudy be a part of our team. Her experience and passion are surpassed only by her tireless efforts and insightful perception in helping others. We look forward to doing some work together.”

About The Cook Family Charitable Fund

The Cook Family Charitable Fund was established in 2006 by Peter A. Cook, Sr., and Peter A. Cook, Jr., with a goal of raising funds for families dealing with cancer, substance abuse and intellectual disabilities. Together with their friends and supporters, the fund has raised more than $1,500,000 for organizations and individuals, including Cape Cod Hospital, Cardinal Cushing Centers, Caron, Gavin House, Jordyn Cook Epilepsy Fund, and Work Inc. One of the Fund’s first initiatives was working with neurologist Elizabeth Thiele of Massachusetts General Hospital and raising $350,000 necessary to fund the site, “Growing Up with Epilepsy.” Recognizing other needs in the community, the scope of the fund has expanded considerably since those early years. Offices are at 737 Webster Street, Marshfield, MA. For additional information please call 781-837-4905 or visit www.donatecookfamily.org.