By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

Plans for the 10th annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give are underway with the one-day of giving scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. 

For 24 hours this fall, people can donate to their favorite non-profit organizations both in person at giving stations and on-line at swnebiggive.org. 

But before the big day, Community Chest organizers put a lot of planning and work to make the day a success. This includes getting the non-profit organizations registered for the event. 

Organizations that would like to participate in the Southwest Nebraska Big Give must register between June 1-30 on the Big Give website. This includes those groups which have participated in the past and those which would like to be included for the first time this year.

Any group which has participated in the past will be notified to re-register for the 2025 Big Give.

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

To be eligible for the 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. 6, participating non-profits will be eligible for donations, whether they are given online or in person at “giving stations.”

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 third year as Southwest Nebraska Big Give, originally known as Big Give McCook. But with many organizations participating from around Southwest Nebraska, the name was changed in 2023.

Organizations involved in the Big Give are also encouraged to be part of the June 19th Third Thursday in McCook, which is being hosted by the Norris Institute. While a volunteer fair/Big Give promotion was held last November, the weather didn’t cooperate. So the McCook Volunteer Fair is now part of the Third Thursday, with all non-profits are being asked to set up a table to share information about their volunteer needs, what they are doing in the community and how the public can support the organization. 

Contact Caitlin Whitehead at caitlin.whitehead1@gmail.com to signup or for more information.

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.

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.

Master Storyteller Will be Missed but the Memories Remain

By Ronda Graff • January 22, 2026
Master Storyteller Will be Missed but Memories Remain

Cost of Complacency Can Lead to Higher Costs

By Amanda Engell • January 9, 2026
Maintaining the status quo or not doing anything may be cheaper initially but long-term, the costs are more.

Trying to Slow Down Time, Once Again

By Ronda Graff • January 9, 2026
Make 2026 memorable by getting involved and making an impact in your community.

MCF Members Share "Why" They Do This Work

By Ronda Graff • December 22, 2025
As the year comes to a close, members of the MCFF Advisory Committee share "why" they do their community work.

"This Too Shall Pass" Marks the Season

By Ronda Graff • December 22, 2025
Whether it is the hustle and bustle of the holidays or just every-day activities, it is good to remember that "this too shall pass."

Dec. 2025 Volunteer of the McCook Beautifying Downtown McCook

By Ronda Graff • December 17, 2025
Linda Graff named McCook Volunteer of the Month for December 2025

Seasons of Lists Includes Priority Lists

By Ronda Graff • December 15, 2025
By focusing on what is important, we can make an even better impact in our communities.

Holiday Home Tours Return

By Ronda Graff • December 11, 2025
After a 10-year hiatus, the McCook Holiday Home Tours return focusing on downtown upstairs apartments.

Nov. 2025 Volunteer Willing to Help Wherever Needed

By Ronda Graff • November 25, 2025
While many people think volunteering is for older residents, serving your community has no age restrictions. And young people can regularly be found lending a hand or offering their services in their hometown. The November 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month recognizes one of many young people are working to make their community an even better place to call home: Grady Riemenschneider. Currently a senior at McCook High School, Grady volunteers with a wide variety of organizations and groups. As a four-year member of the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s Youth Change Reaction, Grady serves as the ambassador for the youth group’s “Cars Under Stars,” the outdoor movie theater at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. At nearly every showing, he can be found operating the projector and setting up the parking lot, as well as passing along his knowledge to the next ambassador. In McCook’s FFA program, Grady has held officer roles the past four years and is currently the chapter vice president, organized the chapter banquet in 2025 and coached for the conduct of chapter meetings. Along with serving as the president of the Driftwood Feeders 4-H Club, he assists with setup, tear down and fundraising for the dog show and helps fellow members train their dogs. Grady steps in to help and lead at local events, including Prairie Plains CASA’s Kick in’ It Up for CASA and the Cajun Broil; the Edward Jones Alzheimer’s Walk; operating sound boards for various groups; and Feed the Farmer. And he has served as a youth leader at McCook Christian Church for elementary youth since approximately 2018 as well as stepping up to ensure the ag program ran smoothly during a teacher’s maternity leave Upon request from his mother about some of Grady’s activities, Sharleen noted that he is the “Chief Household Operations Officer: first responder for Mom’s to-do list, go-to chauffeur and caretaker for his favorite sidekick (a.k.a. his nephew), and the family’s unofficial event planner who somehow keeps everyone together without a clipboard.” The McCook Philanthropy Council recognizes a volunteer every month who is doing good work in McCook and Red Willow County. If there is a volunteer in the community who should be recognized, please contact the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308-345-3200 or visit McCook Volunteers on the McCook Community Foundation Fund’s 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 but please have information about the nominee along with where and how they volunteer in the community. The volunteer honoree is selected monthly by the McCook Philanthropy Council.