Registration Open for Southwest Nebraska Big Give Organizations

By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

The 9th annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give McCook is Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 and will feature many of the activities associated with the Big Give including giving stations and power hours. And there are several new elements being planned including a meet-and-greet with the organizations and promotions throughout the community.

But before the big day, a lot of planning and work goes into the one-day of giving for Southwest Nebraska. This includes getting the non-profit organizations registered for the event.

With some changes to the giving platform, all organizations much register this year, whether they have participated before or not in the Big Give.

The 2023 Big Give featured 34 non-profits and Community Chest organizers are hoping for all those organizations to return and new groups to join in 2024.

Registration is now open through Sept. 9 on the Big Give website, swnebiggive.org. This date is a little later than it has been in the past, so organizers would like the non-profit organizations to get registered as soon as possible.

To join Big Give, organizations are asked to fill out an application on the website under “Register Your Non-Profit Now.” Participants will also be asked to attend one planning meeting as well as offer support leading up to and on the day of Big Give McCook.

To be eligible for Big Give, organizations must have a 501(c)3 exempt status in good standing with the IRS as well as have a physical presence and provide services for Southwest Nebraska. Private foundations and political or governmental organizations are excluded from the event. Religious organizations are also excluded except those providing community programs. All applications are ultimately approved by the Community Chest committee with non-profit status verified through Guidestar.

Coordinated by the Community Chest volunteer committee, Southwest Nebraska Big Give is one day devoted to philanthropy, where every donation - large or small - makes a difference. From midnight to midnight on Nov. 7, participating non-profits will be eligible for donations, whether they are given online or in person at “giving stations” around McCook..

Donors get to choose both how much they would like to give along with where the money should go. There will also be matching funds, provided by local businesses supporting the event, making those donations go even further. Any business or organizations which would like to be a sponsor for Big Give McCook should contact Community Chest members.

The event is now in its second year as Southwest Nebraska Big Give, previously known as Big Give McCook. But several organizations participating from around the area, the name was changed in 2023

The Community Chest provides financial resources to a dozen agencies in McCook, which serve the basic needs of the community. Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.

For more information about the Southwest Nebraska Big Give, visit the Big Give website or call Community Chest co-coordinators Lisa Felker or Melissa Stritt at 308-345-4240 or MCFF coordinator Ronda Graff at 308-340-3412.

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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.