McCook has a long tradition of creating its own opportunities and then building upon those ideas for future generations. And once again, McCook is creating opportunities and looking forward, thanks to the generosity of a former McCook resident, who is also showing her appreciation for a childhood full of arts, music and culture in Southwest Nebraska.
Susan Sehnert Stuart has created a challenge grant for McCook Community Foundation Fund to raise $400,000 in unrestricted endowment funds.
In return, she will provide an additional $200,000 in matching funds to recognize her parents, Walt and Jean Sehnert, and the impact they have had on McCook, along with arts and culture in McCook; over the past 60 years.
"McCook has meant a lot to our family," Stuart said. "And the arts have made it especially meaningful. As the next generations take the lead, I would like my parents' love of music and community to continue to grace the landscape of McCook.”
She added, “I think the McCook Community Foundation Fund is just the group to help this happen.”
So the 11-member Fund Advisory Committee has taken on the Sehnert Challenge with the task of raising the $400,000 by 2021.
When the Sehnert Challenge is complete, those funds will make it possible for more viable grant-making opportunities, said Cindy Huff, chairperson for MCFF.
“We will have significantly grown our capacity to grant requests that will provide meaningful experiences and opportunities,” Huff said. “That $600,000 increase in the permanent endowment will enable MCFF to make a larger impact in the community immediately. More importantly, it is a gift to future generations to realize their dreams.”
MCFF Treasurer Mark Graff said, “This endowment will help perpetuate the impact to our community in McCook made by the Sehnert’s in time, talent and treasure over these last 60 years.”
When the campaign is complete, MCFF will make an annual grant in honor of Walt and Jean Sehnert to a project or organization which reflects their interests and passions for McCook.
The Sehnert Challenge campaign is co-chaired by Dale and Mary Dueland and Don and Alice Harpst, all of McCook.
Dale explained why he chose to lead this challenge.
“Susan offered the match incentive as a way of honoring her parents for their contribution to arts and culture in McCook, and also thanking our community for the wonderful memorable experiences of her youth,” Dueland said. “Growing up here ourselves and knowing the Sehnert family for years, Mary and I felt the same gratitude. When the opportunity arose to help guide this campaign, we felt it was an important way we could serve our community.”
He added that is challenge is important to McCook for several reasons.
“McCook offers an excellent living opportunity for families wanting a smaller town experience with a progressive community attitude,” Dueland said. “It’s truly up to us to decide how we want our community and culture to evolve.”
But the Fund Advisory Committee is not alone. Nearly 30 volunteers have joined to solicit donations, as well as spread the message about the possibilities for McCook, large and small. Many of those on the volunteers joined because of their appreciation of arts and culture in McCook, along with their love and admiration for Walt and Jean Sehnert.
When the Sehnert family moved to McCook in the 1950s, Susan Sehnert Stuart started a journey of musical influences because of her parent's deep love for the cultural arts. Now, she hopes this tradition will continue and expand because of the Sehnert Challenge.
For more information about the Sehnert Challenge, please visit the MCFF website, www.mccookfoundation.org . McCook Community Foundation Fund is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.
