McCook, Neb. - Big Give McCook is a group effort, from those who organize it, to those who promote it, from those who sponsor it to those who donate to the 24-hour giving event.
In the end, everyone pulling together is what makes Big Give McCook a success. And the 2019 Big Give McCook on Thursday was more successful than ever.
At the end of 24 hours of giving, more than $97,000 made it onto the tally board, which includes $8,000 in matching “Power Hour” funds.
But with additional matching bonus funds, the total will be closer to $145,000 to be divided among the 29 local non-profit organizations, according to Melissa Stritt, co-organizer of Big Give McCook.
Those bonus funds are possible because of generous local sponsors, including MNB Bank, MNB Insurance, MNB Financial Services, The Graff Charitable Foundation, Great Western Bank and Community Hospital.
The best part is that all those dollars stay local, benefitting the local non-profit organizations.
Big Give McCook is coordinated by the Community Chest, which serves 10 local agencies and consists of dedicated volunteers, led by co-coordinators Lisa Felker and Melissa Stritt..
Community Chest created Big Give McCook four years ago as a way to pool funds for not only the Community Chest agencies but also over the years, more and more non-profits in Southwest Nebraska.
The day wouldn’t be possible without the locations which served as in-person giving stations, including Pinnacle Bank, Horizon Bank, Great Western Bank, First Central Bank, MNB Bank, Community Hospital, Hillcrest Nursing Home, and YMCA, which staffed a table for 17 of the 24 hours.
Support from the community also extends to many local businesses, including Hometown Family Radio, High Plains Radio and the McCook Gazette.
And finally, Big Give McCook simply wouldn’t be possible without all the individual donors. More than 700 donations were made this year, up from 650 last year. The donations ranged from $1 to four figures. New this year were numerous donations from IRA accounts as well as gifts of grains.
“We are so appreciative of the support from the community,” Felker said. “When it’s all said and done, both the total number of donors as well as the total donations will make 2019 the biggest year ever.”
And as the final numbers are tabulated and finalized, Community Chest organizers are already making plans for the 2020 Big Give and created another great event.
Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
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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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