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.
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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.
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Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.
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