Greg and Julie Cook are founding members of doTERRA and consistent do-gooders. With karma on their side, they are blessed to be in a position to frequently donate to worthy causes for the betterment of our community.
From their donation to Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital in Lehi for the behavioral health wing, to being the founding beneficiaries of the Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater in Pleasant Grove (located on doTERRA campus), to the new Cook Family Park that is about to open, also in Pleasant Grove, the Cooks have sown seeds of generosity throughout the valley.
But let’s begin with the doTERRA storyline of goodness.
“The very first year doTERRA existed, Healing Hands was created in an effort to give back,” Julie says.
Healing Hands is an effort through doTERRA to “empower people worldwide to be healthy, safe and self-reliant.” These efforts in Q3 of 2024 included empowering Utah children through reading, flood recovery efforts in China, and support following flooding in Iowa.
Greg and Julie are grateful for doTERRA and the wellspring of resources it has provided and the lives it has bettered. Now, they’re taking the stage to create an even brighter Utah Valley plot twist.
MENTAL HEALTH HELPERS
A wealth of wellness from the Cooks extends far beyond doTERRA.
The Cooks’ $10 million gift to the Intermountain Foundation, announced in October 2020, has helped Intermountain Healthcare and the experts at Primary Children’s expand and enhance behavioral health services to improve mental wellness in children and teens — and to help prevent mental health crises.
Inspired by the Primary Children’s Hospital’s need for mental and behavioral health wing donations — and hearing from hospital leaders how this area is the most difficult to garner support for — the Cook Center for Human Connection was born. Their mission? Strengthening human connection and providing avenues to mental health support for those most in need. The Cook Center for Human Connection is working to decrease Utah’s suicide statistics.
RAISE THE RUTH
One of the Cooks’ most recent curtain calls is The Ruth — the new location for the beloved Hale Center Theater Orem. A new building has a new name honoring the legacy of Ruth and Nathan Hale, creators of the Hale Theater storyline.
With the foresight of needing land for growth, Greg and Julie purchased land next to the doTERRA campus, and the company bought it back from them. It was a good thing all of the partners at doTERRA were avid fans of the theater, and all agreed that it would be the perfect place for the Ruth.
“This new theater is such an important space for Utah actors and performers,” Greg says. “The talent we have right here is incredible. Everyone inside the theater should be appreciated and compensated. What gets celebrated gets repeated, and I hope our community shows up to support the arts.”
The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater had its grand opening on Jan. 3, with its inaugural show, “Ragtime.”
Greg and Julie personally guaranteed a Series B $27 million bond through Pleasant Grove City to ensure the success and longevity of The Ruth. The new theater would not have been a possibility without Greg and Julie, along with the State of Utah, Utah County, doTERRA, public funds, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gail Miller, Alan and Karen Ashton, Scott and Karen Smith, and the Lindsey family.
PLAYS AND PARKS
From theater to universities to parks, the Cooks are active Utah Valley contributors.
“We have been a part of the President’s Leadership Council at BYU for the past decade,” Julie says. “Greg is currently serving as the co-chair and we both serve on the executive committee. We have found great meaning through the efforts with Law and Religious Freedom, BYU Broadcasting and athletics.”
But Greg and Julie don’t stop collegiate support there. Both UVU and U of U are also supported by the Cooks.
And now, so is your local playground.
“A few years ago, I approached Mayor (Guy) Fugal and asked him what we could help with,” Greg says. “He told me about the 40 acres they wanted to build a park on. They needed to keep the cost of developing the park very low and wouldn’t be able to invest in the amenities on their own. The park needed to have land for water retention and a cemetery, but with our help, they would be able to set aside five acres for amenities.”
They brought in a park designer to really “go to town.” They decided on one of the main attractions being a splashpad with a ship to honor the Pleasant Grove High School Vikings.
“The goal is to have a draw and economic impact on Pleasant Grove City through the park as well as the new Ruth Theater,” Greg says. “We know that parks have an immeasurable impact on mental and physical health of families.”
As the curtain rises on both of these significant projects, Greg and Julie deserve their own standing ovation.