Connection, Creative District & Growth at Chamber Annual Meeting

Chamber Invites MCFF to Share about McCook Connects, Third Thursday

McCOOK Neb. — Chairman Joe Townsley opened the McCook Chamber of Commerce annual meeting over the lunch hour on Thursday.

He went over the financials, saying that the board has recently been pretty tight with funds. “We are in a perfect spot moving forward,” Townsley said.

He introduced Ronda Graff, who came to share about a new program, McCook Connects, that aims to help new community members get involved.

In 1995, Graff moved to McCook. She shared that because of the support she had from her husband and in-laws, she had a positive transition.

However, she acknowledged that is only sometimes the case. Many people come into the community and need that support system.

They don’t have the family already in place. McCook Connects will help match new people with others already in the community who have like-minded interests. It will allow for new friendships and connections to be made.

Graff also briefly discussed the upcoming Third Thursday events, which will unite people to enjoy time on the bricks in the newly designated ‘Creative District.’

Ben Dutton, the Engagement Zone Coordinator for the Nebraska Extension, spoke on “The Big 3” areas on which the Nebraska Extension focuses. To strengthen Nebraska’s Agriculture and Food Systems, Inspire Nebraskans and their communities, and Enhance the health and well-being of all Nebraskans, ‘The Big 3’ energizes Nebraska’s future by developing a skilled workforce, enhancing health and well-being, creating statewide economic vitality, retaining and attracting young people, leveraging our strengths, and sustaining success.

New Chamber Director Sarah Schneider shared her success in adding 28 new Chamber memberships since the beginning of the year.

She ended the event by looking forward to the future, the events coming up in McCook, and the extreme support she has experienced from the Chamber Board, members, and community.

“I couldn’t have done anything. Without my volunteers, without my board.

“The chamber does not exist without the board and the passion that you guys have a real community, too.”

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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.