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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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.
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