“We don’t need another foundation in McCook.”

That was a comment made to me by someone more than 20 years ago as the McCook Community Foundation Fund (MCFF) was getting off the ground.

MCFF was founded in 2001 by a group of visionaries, including Floyd Hershberger who saw a need for a non-profit organization to benefit, not just one project or institution, but all of McCook. He gathered together a group of like-minded individuals to create the organization. And then they convinced other forward-thinking community members to give both of their time and treasurer.

Now, nearly seven million dollars later, MCFF has the fiscal ability to join other local community foundations to make a difference in our area with funding for so many projects, programs and scholarships.

MCFF is also focusing on the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next as well as planned giving to sustain our communities into the future, which leads to personal thoughts on the topic. 

I am thankful for this opportunity to make a difference because I want to give back to the community (specifically in my case, to three communities) that has been very much an important part of my life. 

The community grows thanks to the generosity of both previous and present generations. This is how a community comes together to make dreams become a reality. A planned gift is a personal thing that expresses your appreciation for your family and your community.

To put it simply, you will feel good…something like when you look over the lawn you just mowed. And lately, the rains have given me “twice the joy” each week. But that pales in comparison to the joy I feel of knowing my communities will benefit from planned giving for generations to come.

In closing, the initial opinion about foundations was expressed by non-other than Scrooge. Fortunately, a visit from his three ghosts quickly turned him positive. Not a bad reminder when we are working for community betterment because even my Scrooge image enjoys seeing results of planned giving. 

I believe that the person who spoke to me years ago has seen how various foundations work together to help move the community forward. 

God Bless our community and God Bless each and everyone. 

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A former MCFF committee member and fervent MCFF supporter, Don Harpst is the long-time portrayer of Scrooge, but only by donning the top hat and scarf. In reality, Don is the most generous person of his time, his talent and his treasure - all to make McCook and Southwest Nebraska an even better place to call home.