Every member of my family is a swimmer, some by choice, some by default. Our bathrooms at home can attest to that fact, with drawers devoted to goggles and swim caps and shelves crowded with beach towels and swim shampoo.

All of my kids plus my husband and I are or have been lifeguards. The McCook YMCA pool has served many purposes over the years from swim lessons to swim teams to hours of recreational swim. The swimming pool is our second home.

Personally, I have another reason I value the pool at the Y: I use it whenever I have writer’s block or just to think through things. It provides the opportunity to swim back and forth in the lap lane with nothing else but my thoughts. During that time, I can come up with ideas for a column and work through a roadblock on a story. Or I can mull over an issue with a group I’m involved in or a problem bedeviling the community.

By the time I pull myself onto the edge of the pool, I’ve most likely made progress on whatever issue was weighing on my mind when I dove into the water. It’s my way of removing all other distractions and focusing on the task at hand.

Now this is a fairly specific example, but it’s my way of showing how important the YMCA is personally to me and my family. We can’t imagine McCook without the YMCA and all that it offers. 

And the same can be said of many of the organizations which are taking part in the 8th annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give. Our communities cannot be as good as they can be without these non-profit organizations operating day-in, day-out.

By the time you read this, one of three things will have happened involving the Southwest Nebraska Big Give. The one-day of giving will have started and you have given your donation or plan to later today. The Big Give is nearly over but you haven’t made a contribution so you should stop reading this and go make a donation. Or the Big Give is over and you didn’t make a donation. 

But just because you didn’t give during the Southwest Nebraska Big Give doesn’t mean you can’t continue to support these organizations. 

All of them will gladly and eagerly take a financial donation anytime of the year. There is just extra emphasis on donating during the Big Give because generous sponsors have provided matching funds to be used on the one-day of giving.

Some of these organizations benefit from other kinds of donations, such as dog food and kitty litter at the McCook Humane Society or diapers at the ABC Pregnancy Help Center. Just check with your favorite organization and see what they are in need of on a daily basis.

And every single one of the organizations involved in the Southwest Nebraska Big Give can use more volunteers. They need volunteers to serve on their boards, volunteers to help with events, volunteers to work at their facilities. The list of needs is long and varied but always constant.

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give website, swnebiggive.org, is a great place to learn more about each of the organizations taking part in the event, so you can determine which group to support financially. But the website is also a great source for contact information and to reach out about getting involved. 

Another great source is McCook Volunteers, which can be found on the McCook Community Foundation Fund website, mccookfoundation.org. Dozens of organizations - with more added regularly - are listed with their needs and their contact information. 

Take advantage of the Big Give to show your financial support for these organizations which keep our communities going. But use the rest of the year to get involved in these organizations and help keep our communities thriving.

By Ronda Graff September 4, 2025
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
By Cindy Huff September 2, 2025
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
By Natalie Roberts August 15, 2025
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
By Ronda Graff August 8, 2025
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
By Ronda Graff August 6, 2025
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
By Ronda Graff August 4, 2025
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.
By Ronda Graff July 29, 2025
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
By Ronda Graff July 29, 2025
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
By Ronda Graff July 29, 2025
Sharing our resources, such as books and bikes and even benches, help our community better for everyone.
By Ronda Graff July 19, 2025
For many years, McCook did just enough to get by but now there is a flurry of activity - with much more possible - which we should be celebrating.