Celebrate to Elevate Supports Beautify McCook

For the second annual Celebrate to Elevate event, Elevate Wellness hosted an evening featuring a comedic duo, information about Beautify McCook and a meal prepared by Coppermill, site of the celebration on April 13.

Emily Young, owner of Elevate Wellness, told those in attendance that everyone benefits from having abundant, thriving communities, which is why she and her staff at Elevate host Celebrate to Elevate.

"We hope to bring awareness to different groups and projects going on to make McCook and Southwest Nebraska an even better place to live," she told the approximately 75 people in attendance.

The Beautify McCook committee started as the “Light Up McCook” project last fall ,which oversaw the installation of holiday lights along McCook's downtown skyline. The project evolved into "Beautify McCook," with the goal of completing at least one project each year. This year's project is dedicated to placing planters overflowing with flowers on the corners of downtown McCook.

“We are hoping to bring literal beauty to McCook” committee member Ronda Graff said. “There are a lot of people doing a lot of things in this town, we just need to get the word out.” Graff also noted that volunteers of all ages are welcome to take part in the projects, with several signing up after the recent Celebrate to Elevate event.
As the creator of the downtown planters, Nicole Siebrandt of Garden Thyme Greenhouse designed air plant centerpieces which were auctioned off to raise funds for Beautify McCook. She also showcased a sample of the planters that will go on the corners of Norris Ave.

The 2nd annual Celebrate to Elevate also featured Hayley Kobza and Lena Koebel, known for their “Coaching, Caffeine, and Comedy" podcast.

The evening raised awareness and more than $2,000 for the Beautify McCook project.

All the downtown planters will require regular watering, with the Beautify McCook committee working to develop a schedule, led by downtown resident Gary Wiemers.

The Beautify McCook is also working with the city of McCook and NPPD to install additional electricity in Norris Park and along Norris Avenue to accommodate additional holiday lights.

To be part of the watering crew, provide a donation or just learn more about the projects, find Beautify McCook on Facebook. Beautify McCook is part of "Celebrate McCook," a subaccount of the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

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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.