Anita Bartels has not lived in McCook very long but she is already making a big impact in her new hometown, especially to keep it beautiful.

Anita is one of the many volunteers who are helping beautify McCook, including watering the flowering pots in downtown McCook. Anita can often be seen walking up and down Norris Avenue pulling a wagon full of water buckets to keep the flowers blooming throughout the summer months. She also has made the latest version of t-shirts for the Beautify McCook volunteers and helps with other fund-raising projects that the group coordinates.

For her role on Beautify McCook, Anita Bartels is the August 2026 McCook Volunteer of the Month, which was presented to her as she watering the plants in downtown McCook.

Anita moved to McCook to be near family and McCook is more beautiful because she chose McCook as her home.

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 Volunteers” program.

If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308-345-3200 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.