Q.  What is the best thing about living in your community?

A. The best part about living in McCook is the sense of belonging you get when you become involved.  We are a small community so everyone is needed to share their talents.    I read recently that a very large portion of Americans are lonely, and the best way to overcome this is to feel a sense of belonging – and that comes directly from being actively involved.

Q. What was the most important factor in your decision to move/stay in your community?

A.  After 10 years of living in the “big city,” I realized that wasn’t really where I wanted to be to some day raise a family.  I wanted to be where you knew people and they knew you, where you worked together to make a better community, where you counted as an individual, where you had fun together, and where the convenience of living in a small town made simple things so much easier.

Q. Did you always plan to return to McCook/Southwest Nebraska? If not, what changed your mind?

A. I moved to Denver from my small town and thought the excitement, opportunities and options of the big city would keep me there.  Then I realized that the best parts of life – family, community, worthwhile work – were possible here in a less stressful and more meaningful way and with others that felt the same way.

Q. Through your time, what changes have you seen benefit McCook/SW NE?

A. Since I moved to McCook, one change I have seen is the willingness to identify a problem or weakness and the readiness and ability to work together to fix it.  Whether it’s jobs, education, medical services, housing, arts or others, there is a willingness to say this can be improved and a focus to bring about positive change.

Q. Any surprises?

A. The biggest surprise is that we are turning around the attitude that our children can only be successful and happy if they leave.  We still encourage them to move away to get their education and work in other places, but then we encourage them to consider returning – and many are coming home.

Q. What excites you when you think about the future of your community?

A. I am excited to see the number of young people and families returning to McCook.  They are coming home with an education and a career, bringing or starting families, and getting involved in the community in what interests them.  It makes me feel positive that we are creating a great community and leaving it in their capable hands for the next generation.

Q. What do you hope happens by building MCFF's unrestricted endowment?

A. I recently heard the quote that the best way to predict the future is to create it.  The Unrestricted Endowment gives us a tremendous opportunity to create our community and chart the course for our future.  It is up to us to decide how the funds will be used to make the most impact on our community for the betterment of all.  As the endowment continues to grow from the generosity of all of our donors, our ability to make things happen increases.