McCOOK, Neb. - Thanks to the generosity of two local organizations, an additional $100,000 in funds have been pledged toward a new account established to help respond to local issues connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, the MNB Financial Services Inc. Board of Directors voted to donate $50,000 to the COVID-19 Response Account, which was established this week by the McCook Community Foundation Fund.
P. Mark Graff, President & CEO of MNB Financial Services noted, “The MNB Companies are in a position to be able to assist individuals and families in our area impacted by these recent events because of the 113 years of support we have received from this community.”
“We hope the McCook Community Foundation Fund can utilize these funds to help cushion the blow many residents are feeling during this difficult time,” Graff said. “Working together, we will all weather this storm and come out stronger and closer as an area for it.”
The Graff Charitable Foundation Board of Directors then voted to match MNBFS's $50,000 donation with an additional $50,000 grant to the new account, according to Graff who also serves as chairman of the foundation.
The Graff Charitable Foundation chose to make the matching grant because the foundation understands this pandemic has hit some individuals and families in the area hard.
“Peter and Dolores Graff started the foundation with the intent of giving back to the area for all the blessings they received living in such an incredible place,” Graff said. “We hope that providing assistance to those in our area affected during these difficult times will help raise their spirits and acknowledge how proud we are to call Southwest Nebraska and Northwest Kansas home.”
Earlier this week, the McCook Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee approved granting $25,000 from its 2020 spring grant allotment to start the COVID-19 Response Account.
With these three donations and grants, the COVID-19 Response Account has $125,000 in funds and is available for additional donations.
MCFF’s COVID-19 Response Account will serve two purposes. The new account is available for those who would like to make a tax-deductible donation to help address local issues related to the pandemic.
The account also will be used to distribute grants to local governmental and 501(c)(3) entities, which are working to address the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the community. Information about the types of grant-making possibilities is available on the MCFF website, but range from meeting immediate needs to long-term recovery efforts.
A committee of local volunteers will determine how funds can best be distributed to support the work of community-based organizations with grants distributed on a case-by-case basis.
Grant applications for the COVID-19 Response Account are available on the MCFF website, www.mccookfoundation.org, or by contacting MCFF coordinator, Ronda Graff, 308-340-3412. Donations can also be made through a link on the MCFF website.
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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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