Heading into 2020 Big Give McCook, Community Chest organizers had no idea what the final results would be. With the pandemic, the economy and the current political climate, the volunteer committee was hoping to just break even with last year’s total of $145,000.
But in the end, everyone pulled together to make 2020 Big Give McCook a bigger success than ever.
At the end of 24 hours of giving, more than $160,000 was raised. This includes online donations, in-person giving stations funds and $9,000 in “power hour” matching funds, a total which already pushes past the final number from last year.
But when another $37,000 in additional sponsorship funds are added in the next few days as matching funds for all 29 non-profit organizations, the total will surpass the $200,000 mark for the first time in the five year history of Big Give McCook.
It was a complete community effort to help break those records, from donors to sponsors to organizers.
Big Give McCook is organized by Community Chest, which also distributes funds throughout the year to 13 local organizations.
Community Chest co-chairperson Lisa Felker was simply overwhelmed by the continuous donations throughout the day, as well as all the financial support leading up to McCook’s largest single-day philanthropy event..
“The generosity of McCook and Southwest Nebraska was above and beyond what we were expecting,” Felker said. “Our community really stepped up when there is a bigger need than ever for many of these organizations.”
Also important to Big Give’s success is the support of those who don’t live in McCook but still value their hometown and want to ensure its success, with donations coming from across the state and across the country.
“Thank you to everyone who supported Big Give McCook, whether coming out to make a donation on Thursday, sponsoring the event, designating a retirement account payment or creating a payroll deduction,” Felker said. “We have proven that we can make McCook and Southwest Nebraska a great place to call home.”
What truly makes Big Give McCook so successful are the bonus funds from generous local sponsors, including Graff Charitable Foundation, MNB Bank, Valmont, Great Western Bank, Community Hospital, MNB Financial Services, Horizon Bank, First Central Bank, Janssen-Kool Motors, MNB Insurance, Pinnacle Bank, U-Save Pharmacy & Medical Supply, Lifetime Eye Care, Ace Hardware, Casey’s, Frontier Home Medical, Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Café, The Sports Shoppe, Hometown Family Radio, High Plains Radio, and McCook Gazette.
Community Chest created Big Give McCook five years ago as a way to pool funds for not only the Community Chest agencies but has over the years added more and more non-profits from Southwest Nebraska, who are filling crucial roles in the community and creating great projects to improve the area.
The day wouldn’t be possible without the locations which served as in-person giving stations, including Pinnacle Bank, Horizon Bank, Great Weatern Bank, First Central Bank, MNB Bank, Hillcrest Nursing Home and the YMCA.
New this year were two drive-through locations at Hillcrest Nursing Home and McCook Christian Church because of the pandemic but with plans to keep in place next year.
And finally, Big Give McCook simply wouldn’t be possible without all the individual donors. More than 878 donations were made this year, up from 700 last year.
Individuals, businesses and organizations stepped up to support Big Give McCook with donations ranging from a $5 bill to five-digit checks. All of those combined with local sponsorship funds made 2020 Big Give one for the record books.
“We are so appreciative of the support from the community,” Felker said. “When it’s all said and done, both the total number of donors as well as the total donations will make 2020 the biggest year ever.”
2020 Big Give McCook was a test for Community Chest organizers with masks and hand-sanitizers available at every giving station, but they are already making plans for the 2021 Big Give and hope the community is ready for another great event.
Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which is an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
Sharing our resources, such as books and bikes and even benches, help our community better for everyone.
For many years, McCook did just enough to get by but now there is a flurry of activity - with much more possible - which we should be celebrating.
