Big Give Groups Working Toward Specific Goals

By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

With less than a month until the 2024 Southwest Nebraska Big Give, organizers would like to introduce all the organizations which are part of the one day of giving. But with more than 40 non-profits, the groups have been loosely divided into groups, somewhat based on the projects they are working on or people they are serving.

By the Big Give on Thursday, Nov. 7, all of the organizations will be covered, starting with the non-profits which are working toward a specific project and/or entity.

Perhaps the best known group in the Big Give is the McCook YMCA, which has been a part of McCook for nearly a century. While the organization is undergoing a capital campaign, funds from the Big Give are used to offset fees for families and youth, as well as operating expenses.

Another well-known entity is the McCook Humane Society, which works tirelessly for our four-legged friends, both feline and canine. Sticking with the animals, the McCook K9 Korner operates McCook’s dog park, located at Barnett Park with the hope of installing agility equipment for visiting dogs.

Many have likely heard of Habitat for Humanity, which has a Southwest Nebraska Chapter and is responsible for many new houses throughout the area over the past few years with the hope of building more in the future.

Two organizations which are helping our communities remember (or find) their history is the High Plains Historical Society and Museum, with its location on Norris Avenue, and the Southwest Nebraska Genealogy Society, which utilizes the resources in the museum as well as online.

Returning after a year’s hiatus is the Freedom Festival, which is McCook’s annual Fourth of July celebration and is organized by McCook Christian Church.

New to the Big Give in 2024 is Beautify McCook, which is responsible for McCook’s downtown holiday lighting, the flowering planters on Norris Avenue and additional lights in Norris Park. Cambridge Park Foundation joins the Big Give for the first time, as it works to improve and update the city’s park.

Southwest Area Training Services, commonly called SWATS, has joined for itself and its foundation, serving our community’s residents with special needs.

And the Daughters of the American Revolution joins Big Give for the first time in 2024, again helping people remember their past while looking forward.

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give is made even more impactful because of the generous sponsors, which provide matching dollars. Platinum and gold sponsors include Graff Charitable Foundation and MNB Bank, Community Hospital and First Interstate Bank. A complete list of sponsors will be available on the Big Give website, swnebiggive.org.

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give is coordinated by Community Chest, which is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

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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.