Forty-five years ago, I drove to McCook and I never left. I planned to live in the area for only one year, but here we still are. It is a decision that my family and I have never regretted.
I have come to think of the road to McCook as an intentional road. However, many persons may decide to pass through. Choosing to pass through McCook from other whereabouts in our state is usually because this drive is motivated by a mission or deliberate act. Nowadays, I would hate to think about the loss of the fulfilled and engaged life that we built in southwest Nebraska prompted by that fateful, albeit intentional, drive to McCook.
During this time, we have witnessed the resiliency of McCook and the surrounding communities. I marvel at community members' tenacity, strength, and actions that will not let their communities die.
I have seen community schools reorganize, rename, and come close to shutting their doors. And this would have happened if it were not for each town's committed community members. It stirs proud feelings when thinking about how we cannot exist without each other.
The whole of southwest Nebraska is only as strong as its people. And the people of southwest Nebraska are amazing!
Hometown rivals aside, but maybe only temporarily, there are signs that we can and will work together. In southwest Nebraska, we have a rich history of pirating treasures from neighboring communities. But over time, all is forgiven because what connects us makes us human. And it is human to desire connection.
Because of these connections, we all can have a vibrant future. The communities, and more importantly, the people that make up southwest Nebraska, are the secret to our future success. Several area communities have started Foundations with growing unrestricted endowment funds through the guidance and support of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
These communities have taken it upon themselves to direct their future rather than let negative economic trends, population shifts, uncontrollable circumstances, or inadequate planning devastate them. The exceptional work these organized Community Foundations can produce through coming together and building strength, resiliency, and neighborhood bonds in creating a future with boundless possibilities.
If we can hold each of our communities up as models of resilience and we all honor their rich history and uniqueness, then we are all winners. We are all neighbors.
In McCook, we realize we are only as strong as we are together. We will continue to exist and thrive through supporting each other, holding up the uniqueness of our neighbors, no matter which community you call home. This is our area's combined history, it was messy and may have been mean or exclusive at times, but we moved forward because forward is the only positive move.
If you are interested in starting a Community Foundation in your hometown, ask. Our vision at the McCook Community Foundation Fund is to "Make McCook an Even Better Place to Call Home.” We want to help our neighbors unleash abundant possibilities. But the chances of making this reality happen will only occur if we all come together in working to make all Southwest Nebraska the best place to call home.
