2023 Big Give Reaches Record Numbers

2023 Southwest Nebraska Big Give Total reaches nearly $280,000

By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

McCOOK - The Southwest Nebraska Big Give got bigger this year, not only with a longer name and more organizations but also in the total amount donated on the one day of giving Nov. 2.

With the final sponsorship dollars added in, the total for the 2023 Big Give is $278,112.49 - a new record for the annual event. That total came from 938 individual donations, another new high for the event, which is in its 8th year.

The Big Give also saw the most non-profit organizations taking part in the event with 38 charitable groups joining the effort, covering communities across Southwest Nebraska from Curtis to Cambridge to Culbertson.

A complete list of the organizations and their totals raised during the Big Give can be found on the Big Give website, swnebiggive.org.

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give continues to grow each year because of many people,businesses and organizations coming together to make it happen. These include the sponsors, which provide the matching funds to make individual donations even more impactful. Those sponsorship dollars are used to provide the matching funds during the power hours throughout the day. Organizations also receive matching funds based on the total dollars raised throughout the day, up to a certain amount based upon the sponsor dollars raised throughout the year.

The 2023 platinum sponsors include the Graff Charitable Foundation and MNB Bank. Gold sponsors are Community Hospital and First Interstate Bank.

Silver and bronze sponsors include Golden Plains Realty, Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel, Horizon Bank, First Central Bank, First State Bank and Insurance, MNB Insurance, Pinnacle Bank, State Farm-Linda Maiden and Waypoint Bank.

Friendship sponsors included Casey’s, the Sports Shoppe, W Design Associates and Wagner Auto Group.

And the Big Give would not be as successful without the publicity from local media including the McCook Gazette, High Plains Radio and Hometown Family Radio.

Finally, the Southwest Nebraska Big Give is possible because of the volunteers who serve on the McCook Community Chest committee, led by co-chairs Melissa Stritt and Lisa Felker.

The Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

February 2026 Volunteer Focus on TeamMates and Community

By Ronda Graff • February 16, 2026

Sara Rippen named February 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month

Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards

By Ronda Graff • February 11, 2026

Practicing Good Stewardship Takes Effort But Reaps Many Rewards

Bison Days Is About More Than Just Jobs

By Ronda Graff • February 5, 2026

Bison Days brings high schoolers and community members to learn about job possibilities but also interests and hobbies in their hometown.

MCFF Expands Scholarship Offerings

By Ronda Graff • February 4, 2026

MCFF Continues to Add Scholarships for Local Students

With Little Snow, Still the Season of Lights

By Ronda Graff • January 29, 2026

With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.

Jan. 2026 Volunteer of the Month Devoted to Church and Community

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026

To kick off the new year, Jo Beebe has been selected as the January 2026 McCook Volunteer of the month. While many people might know Jo for her years at the Sports Shoppe, she can be found giving hours of her time to the community, especially at St. Patrick Church. Whether during the weekly Mass or for a funeral or wedding, Jo shares her beautiful voice from the choir loft, as well as leading the choir members. Jo, along with her husband Harold, also has served as the St. Pat’s GALA host couple in the past and continues to help with set-up and cleanup of the annual event. Jo is also active with the Fall Festival, the Rosary Rally and the Wild Game Feed in Curtis every year. She attends every the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults class and helps students prepare for confirmation. And since retiring from the Sports Shoppe, she is active in the Altar Society, and volunteers at the Bargain Bazaar thrift store. According to her nomination, “The way Jo gives of her time and talents to our parish and community is a reflection of her faith,” and the community and the church are better because of her generosity. The McCook Philanthropy Council selects the monthly recipient for the McCook Volunteer of the Month award as part of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s McCook Volunteer program. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308.340.3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community.