Strong Communities Need Investment

A person makes many different investments during their lifetime.

The first investment that likely comes to mind is a retirement account, in the hope of creating a healthy, sizable nest-egg when the working years come to an end. Another type of investment is starting a business, using life-savings now to see a dream become a reality. Both of these investments offer trackable, tangible results.

And then there is perhaps the most valuable investment we can do: investing our time.

This can range from joining organizations which help people grow, like TeamMates or CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates); volunteering to support community functions, including the Chamber of Commerce’s Heritage Days; or assisting at children’s activities, such as the YMCA’s youth sports.

In reality, none of these “investments” have any kind of direct return which you can cash in at the end of the day. But, imagine if we didn’t have these organizations or programs? Picture what our community would look like without these opportunities? To put it bluntly, it would be a very different - and likely not a growing nor prospering— kind of community.

As we embark on “McCook’s Decade,” there are many investment opportunities, both of finances and of time. There are capital campaigns on the horizon which are going to require generational investments. There are non-profit boards looking for new voices and young people, who will bring energy - and new ideas - to the table. Or perhaps it’s as simple as offering your neighbor assistance, mowing their lawn or fixing their fence.

Very few of these investments will give direct returns, but ultimately they build a community we can be proud to call home. A community that is strong and vibrant. A community that promotes health and wellness. A community that continues to welcome and encourage volunteering. McCook can grow and thrive thanks to everyone’s generosity.

Investing into stocks, bonds or real estate is easy and logical for many. However, as a community member, I encourage investing in our community with your time, energy and effort.

“McCook’s Decade” has numerous projects with great people in the lead. It’s not “if” you will hear about them, but “when” you will hear about them. When this happens, I encourage you to see these as opportunities to build a stronger community, opportunities to leave a legacy for your kids and grandkids to enjoy, and an opportunity to change a person’s life. And most of all, these are opportunities to build a community our youth will want to call home.

Since we are in the midst of the fall-sports season, let’s look at it from a sports’ perspective: the best sport teams are usually player-led, not just coached. If there are any parallels, the best communities are people-driven, where people invest in their youth, invest in their friends and neighbors, and invest in making their hometown an even better place to call home.

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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.