Dec 2025 Volunteer of the Month Beautifying McCook

The December 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month may be found sweeping leaves in Norris Alley between the Fox Theater and Keystone Business Center. Or she may be overseeing the installation of holiday lights on B Street and Norris Alley. And not to mention, she is likely picking up trash that has blown down Norris Avenue onto the sidewalk near B Street. 

All because Linda Graff has an eye for making things beautiful, whether inside her downtown apartment which was part of the 2025 Holiday Home Tour or on the streets in front of her home along Norris Avenue. 

Her advocacy on Beautify McCook - a group of volunteers working to make McCook beautiful one light, one flower, one project at a time - is just one reason Linda was named the December 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month.

Linda also has a gift for helping others, including serving others as a volunteer for Prairie Plains Court Appointed Special Advocates and as a mentor for McCook’s TeamMates program. Linda is also a board member for the McCook Community Kitchen, which hosts events throughout the year to encourage healthy and creative eating.

The McCook Philanthropy Council recognizes a volunteer every month who is doing good work in McCook and Red Willow County. 

If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308-345-3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s 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 but please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community. The volunteer honoree is selected monthly by the McCook Philanthropy Council.

With Little Snow, Still the Season of Lights

By Ronda Graff • January 29, 2026
With little to snow on the ground in McCook, holiday lights help beat the drab and dreary season.

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.

Master Storyteller Will be Missed but the Memories Remain

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain

Cost of Complacency Can Lead to Higher Costs

By Amanda Engell • January 9, 2026
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.

Trying to Slow Down Time, Once Again

By Ronda Graff • January 9, 2026
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.

MCF Members Share "Why" They Do This Work

By Ronda Graff • December 22, 2025
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.

"This Too Shall Pass" Marks the Season

By Ronda Graff • December 22, 2025
Whether it is the hustle and bustle of the holidays or just every-day activities, it is good to remember that "this too shall pass."

Seasons of Lists Includes Priority Lists

By Ronda Graff • December 15, 2025
By focusing on what is important, we can make an even better impact in our communities.

Holiday Home Tours Return

By Ronda Graff • December 11, 2025
After a 10-year hiatus, the McCook Holiday Home Tours return focusing on downtown upstairs apartments.

Nov. 2025 Volunteer Willing to Help Wherever Needed

By Ronda Graff • November 25, 2025
While many people think volunteering is for older residents, serving your community has no age restrictions. And young people can regularly be found lending a hand or offering their services in their hometown. The November 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month recognizes one of many young people are working to make their community an even better place to call home: Grady Riemenschneider. Currently a senior at McCook High School, Grady volunteers with a wide variety of organizations and groups. As a four-year member of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s Youth Change Reaction, Grady serves as the ambassador for the youth group’s “Cars Under Stars,” the outdoor movie theater at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. At nearly every showing, he can be found operating the projector and setting up the parking lot, as well as passing along his knowledge to the next ambassador. In McCook’s FFA program, Grady has held officer roles the past four years and is currently the chapter vice president, organized the chapter banquet in 2025 and coached for the conduct of chapter meetings. Along with serving as the president of the Driftwood Feeders 4-H Club, he assists with setup, tear down and fundraising for the dog show and helps fellow members train their dogs. Grady steps in to help and lead at local events, including Prairie Plains CASA’s Kick in’ It Up for CASA and the Cajun Broil; the Edward Jones Alzheimer’s Walk; operating sound boards for various groups; and Feed the Farmer. And he has served as a youth leader at McCook Christian Church for elementary youth since approximately 2018 as well as stepping up to ensure the ag program ran smoothly during a teacher’s maternity leave Upon request from his mother about some of Grady’s activities, Sharleen noted that he is the “Chief Household Operations Officer: first responder for Mom’s to-do list, go-to chauffeur and caretaker for his favorite sidekick (a.k.a. his nephew), and the family’s unofficial event planner who somehow keeps everyone together without a clipboard.” The McCook Philanthropy Council recognizes a volunteer every month who is doing good work in McCook and Red Willow County. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308-345-3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s 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 but please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community. The volunteer honoree is selected monthly by the McCook Philanthropy Council.