Volunteer Highlight — Nicole cook
BIO Girls is a family affair for the Cooks!
Meet Nicole Cook
BIO Girls Volunteer Site Director in Win-E-Mac, Minnesota
When Nicole sees a need in her community, she takes action. As a daycare owner, she has the privilege of working with children of all ages and as kids grow, sometimes they need a bit more and that’s where BIO Girls came in.
“I own a childcare center, and I get to experience girls at some of their most confident ages—3 to 5. It’s the stage where they dance like no one’s watching, sing into pretend microphones, and prance around in plastic shoes without a second thought. They’re completely themselves—free, joyful, and unapologetic.
But I’ve also seen those bright lights start to fade as they grow older and enter school. That shift really stuck with me. I realized it wasn’t just something I was noticing—it was something I felt called to help with.
That’s why I volunteer with BIO Girls. I want to help girls hold onto that confidence and build strong self-esteem through the tougher years. I want them to believe in themselves, stay true to who they are, and never lose that sense of joy and individuality that comes so naturally when they’re young.”
For Nicole, BIO Girls isn’t just for the girls. It has become part of their whole family.
“ One unexpected surprise of volunteering has been the impact BIO Girls has had on our entire family. My daughters are only 4 and 5—still too young to participate—but my three boys have been in grades 2–6 during the years I’ve volunteered.
The lessons have naturally become part of our dinner table conversations. I’ll hear things like, “Mom, what are you learning about this week?” or “My friends had so much fun at BIO Girls last night,” and even, “How can I cheer on my friend who’s in BIO Girls?” It’s been so special to see them take an interest and connect with it in their own way.
After our first 5K finale, my oldest son was 9 years old, squeezed into the back seat surrounded by all the props and materials that made the event so special. Out of nowhere, he looked at me and said, “Mom, you do a lot of things for a lot of people. I’m really proud of you.”
My eyes instantly filled with tears. In that moment, I felt such a deep sense of pride—not just in what we were doing, but in the fact that our kids are getting to witness firsthand how serving others can truly fill your cup and make you feel so good inside.”
Nicole, how incredible it is to create an impact for your family and a ripple effect that goes out into your community. We can’t thank you enough for the love and dedication you have given to BIO Girls programming. Thank you!
How can I get involved?
We have a variety of ways for people to get involved with BIO Girls. We can’t wait to connect with you and see where we can make an impact in your community together!