We are entering the holiday season. Not the typical cold, wintery time of year but the hot, sultry Fourth of July festivities. As part of this holiday, there are many upcoming celebrations to mark the United State’s birthday.
Many have likely seen in the news and on social media that Kearney had to cancel its Freedom Festival, due to a lack of volunteers. This led to some confusion that McCook’s event was not happening July 3, which is understandable since they literally have the same name.
But McCook’s event is taking place (may have already taken place by the time you read this) at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds.
This event and others like it happen because several things need to be in place including people, businesses and organizations providing the funding needed to make it a reality.
But perhaps more importantly, people, businesses and organizations step up to help by volunteering their time. If you don’t have people to plan and organize, the events can’t happen. If you don’t have friends and families willing to give of their time working, these events can’t happen. If you don’t have volunteers who see the value in spending an evening with others, these events won’t happen.
And as we have seen, the reality is not that far away in Kearney.
But we have proven that residents in McCook and Southwest Nebraska are willing to step up and help and make these projects happen, most recently this past weekend with the Tour de Nebraska (TDN) bike ride, the McCook Chamber’s Bash on the Bricks and Wagner’s Cruise Night. These events took dozens - if not hundreds - of volunteers giving hundreds of hours to make it happen.
I was most involved with the Tour de Nebraska, the five-day bicycle ride that had more than 300 riders plus support staff in McCook for two days and nights. As the last of the bike riders headed north to the finish at Curtis on Sunday morning, what was left behind was a sense of joy by those who played a role in the event.
There were numerous roles for the volunteers involved in TDN, from visiting businesses to let them know about the increased foot traffic to unloading luggage for the riders.
There were the Community Hospital employees who staffed the welcome tent as the riders rolled into town. While the hill up to the staging area by McCook Community College event center is not normally that daunting, it proves to be a challenge after riding 60 miles from Cambridge in 90-degree weather. Nearly everyone pulled up the tent, exasperated over the hill, but was then overjoyed as a hospital employee draped an ice-soaked towel around their neck. There were literally sighs of relief and cries of joy due to this small gesture.
Perhaps the biggest undertaking was the van shuttle system to get riders around the community. While the cyclists could have walked or ridden their bikes, it is hard to balance a load of laundry on your handlebars or to get across town from the movie theater late at night.
Instead, for two days, nearly two dozen volunteer shuttle drivers drove a route around McCook, picking up and dropping off riders at local businesses.
When it was all said and done, the shuttle drivers commented on how quickly their time went and how much fun they had. Some asked to take additional shifts, while others brought along a family member to be part of the joy of meeting others and to share the pride they have in their community.
The drivers did receive a t-shirt for their time, but if you ask them, I’m betting that they will say they received more than they gave.
Person after person who volunteered had stories from the two-day event, such as how friendly everyone was, how they enjoyed meeting people from across the U.S. and from other countries, and how they loved sharing what they love about their community.
By volunteering, they came into contact with people they might not normally meet. There was a group from Denver who took the train from McCook after celebrating a bachelor party on the bike ride. There was the weatherman from Des Moines, who may have offered up his autograph. And there were the former McCook-residents who did the ride because it was in their hometown.
This sense of joy and pride is not unique to this event. In fact, it is usually true of almost everyone who steps up to volunteer. Ultimately, you may give of your time and your talent and your treasure but usually you receive much more back in return.
And if we all take that to heart and give back to our community by volunteering, we will all end up with so much more in return because it is better to give than to receive.
It was fall of 2012. I was a senior in high school and preparing for the next chapter of my life, college. I was determined that I was going to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for physical therapy. I also knew to go through undergrad and graduate school I was going to need a lot of scholarships or “student debt” would be my middle name. With that mindset, I ultimately decided not to play basketball my senior year to allocate my time to scholarship applications and a part-time job. It was a tough decision since I enjoyed playing basketball and being around my friends, but it was an investment toward my future. Flash forward to early spring, where I was absolutely blessed by being recognized as a recipient of numerous scholarships that alleviated a major financial burden! Leading up to that point, I was already active in community service projects. But upon receiving those scholarships, I was motivated to give back and say “thank you” for the investment in my education by others. I wanted to do something big, something that would impact the community. Through various conversations and research, I decided to bring back an iconic memory to many McCook natives, a drive-in movie. Through strong partnerships with many local businesses and volunteers, we held a drive-in movie not only my senior year but also my first two years of college, as I returned to help coordinate the project. During the three years of shows in McCook, we rented all the equipment from Dallas, but the dream was to build a permanent, non-profit drive-in for the community to use. However, as I progressed further in my new career of farming, my resources of time and energy were capped and the event sat idle. That is until a group of young, ambitious, and talented students picked up the lost baton. During numerous discussions, Youth Change Reaction members, otherwise known as YCR, shared that they wanted to complete a big project. Many ideas were tossed around, but when the idea of bringing back the drive-in movie came about, it stuck for two reasons: these young adults had memories of attending drive-in movies plus it would meet their goal of going BIG. In the process of picking up the lost baton, their journey into uncharted waters included raising $75,000, building partnerships with community businesses and organizations, and finding the proper equipment. It was truly humbling and at that point, because life really had come full circle. I was once a YCR member and had this dream nearly 10 years ago. But now these young adults went above and beyond in building McCook’s very own “Cars Under the Stars” non-profit outdoor drive-in theater. This project was a true philanthropic endeavor that not only will last for many years, but leaves a legacy, young or old, that we all play a vital role in our community. The power of community collaboration, teamwork, and dedication pulled off a tremendous feat and now our community has a long-standing asset to enjoy. I encourage everyone to take these philanthropic efforts exemplified by our talented youth and implement them into our communities. Embodying the mission of making our rural Nebraska community a better place to live and call home. Those efforts may not result in fulfilling the entire dream you have, but it may be planting the seed and laying the foundation for someone to pick it up. We all have our blessed talents. What are we doing to help move our community forward? What has someone done before you to help set the stage for you to improve? Is there a lost baton in your community that you can pick up and make better? *** Gavin Harsh is an original member of Youth Change Reaction, the youth organization for the McCook Community Foundation Fund, and now serves as a volunteer member on the MCFF Advisory Committee.
It isn’t easy to talk about money but with the transfer of wealth that will happen between the generations over the next few decades, it is something that needs to be a topic of conversation. As part of that discussion, pause for a moment and try to guess how much money will transfer to the next generation between 2020 and 2030, just in Red Willow County. And to make it a little easier, let’s make it multiple choice: $50 million $200 million $608 million I’ll give you the correct answer in just a moment, but for now consider how we know this information. The Nebraska Community Foundation has studied this Transfer of Wealth in every county across the state for decades. This research has inspired the “Five to Thrive” campaign, which encourages us all to consider how just 5% of our wealth could help our communities thrive for generations to come. As Baby Boomers pass on their legacy, the question isn’t if their wealth will transfer — but where. The default answer is typically “to our kids” or “to my family.” And that’s understandable. But here’s a deeper question: Should all of it go to our kids and to our family? Is this even a good idea? Are they prepared for the changes that could happen with the inheritance? Has a conversation been had about what the parents would like to see happen? Would it be wise — or meaningful — to consider leaving just a portion for the greater good? While you may think “I have to leave it all to my family,” there are options. The McCook Community Foundation Fund is here to help you explore what planned giving might look like for you, for your kids and your family. And while MCFF may be part of the conversation, it is not about leaving a gift to the foundation but rather to any cause that reflects your values. Whether you’re passionate about education, youth, the arts, rural vitality, or helping those in need, MCFF can help you connect your resources to your passions. We also offer tools to help you maximize tax savings and structure your giving in ways that are smart and personal. Whether you’re wealthy or working hard to get by, 5% is 5% and it all makes an impact. Which brings us to the answer about the transfer of wealth in Red Willow County over this decade. It will be more than $608 million that will transfer from one generation to the next. And if that next generation doesn’t live in Red Willow County or Southwest Nebraska, then those dollars leave the community, possibly forever. If just 5% of that $608 million were left for local causes, Red Willow County would have $30 million to strengthen our future — keeping rural Nebraska a place where our kids and grandkids can thrive. As Kathy Calvin said, “Giving is not just about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” There are so many possibilities to explore, so many ways to make a difference today and so many ways to leave your legacy. There’s no pressure. Just a conversation. When you're ready, reach out to me directly, to the McCook Community Foundation Fund, or — if you'd prefer more privacy — to the Nebraska Community Foundation. We are blessed in our community and we are in this together to make McCook and southwest Nebraska an even better place to call home. *** As the chairman of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, Matt Sehnert is passionate about making his hometown better for his family, friends and neighbors. Contact him at mwsehnert@gmail.com. Or reach out to MCFF at mcffund@gmail.com or Todd Mekelburg with the Nebraska Community Foundation at tmekelburg@nebcommfound.org.
McCook's next major mural is in the planning stages and people are encouraged to get involved.
Studies show that camping helps fill the need for friendship and socialization, something that should be duplicated in our communities.
There is a lot happening in McCook in June and a lot of people are working to make that happen and to make McCook an even better place to call home.
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.
The McCook Philanthropy Council is proud to announce Dixie Bethell as the May McCook Volunteer of the Month. Dixie’s dedication and hard work have made a lasting impact on hospice patients throughout Southwest Nebraska. Dixie Bethell has been a beacon of hope and support for many in McCook and across southwest Nebraska. After retiring from the Business Office of Community Hospital six years ago, where she worked for 20 years, Dixie began volunteering with Community Healthcare and Hospice. Community Healthcare and Hospice offers hospice services, which provide medical care focused on comfort for individuals expected to live six months or less. Hospice care aims to manage the patient’s symptoms while supporting their quality of life and providing support for family caregivers. Dixie’s efforts in bereavement support have been invaluable. Bereavement support is the assistance provided to individuals who are grieving the loss of a loved one. It helps family members and loved ones process emotions and understand how they’re feeling during this painful time. Dixie assists with support mailings to loved ones who have lost someone on hospice, organizing these mailings monthly for a program that lasts 13 months. Her compassion and dedication help grieving families feel supported during their difficult times. Dixie’s commitment to volunteering is deeply personal. She shares, “I've been through grief with both my parents and my husband. I feel like I have a connection with the people who are grieving and can pray for them.” Her ability to empathize and provide comfort to those in need is truly remarkable. In addition to her work with Community Healthcare and Hospice, Dixie volunteers at the McCook E-Free Church in McCook. She is passionate about the Vacation Bible School program and serves as the Co-Kitchen Coordinator, ensuring programs run smoothly and participants are well cared for. The McCook Philanthropy Council is proud to honor Dixie Bethell as Volunteer of the Month and is grateful for the positive impact she continues to make in so many lives. Thank you, Dixie. 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, mccook- foundation.org, to complete a nomination form. The only requirement is that the nominee must be a resident of McCook or Red Willow County. Please provide information about the nominee along with details on where and how they volunteer in the community. The volunteer honoree is selected by the McCook Philanthropy Council.
Recognizing the Assets and Abundance in Your Community One of the key philosophies of the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) is about looking at our community for its abundance – what it has – and not for its scarcity – what it is lacking. Where did this thought come from, and why is it important to NCF? Several years ago, NCF had a close working relationship with John L. McKnight, a professor who studied and taught community organizing and building. After joining Northwestern University in Illinois, he created the Center for Urban Affairs and then later was a co-creator of the Asset Based Community Development Institute. His work was serious academic research followed by practical application in communities. His goal was to find what makes communities prosper and thrive – especially why some do and some don’t – and to provide a guide for others to replicate the successful communities. He studied the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America, in which Tocqueville proposed that the success of American society was from its many varied informal associations – the small, local citizen organizations of engaged volunteers. Key characteristics of these groups were: they were generally small, there was face-to-face knowledge of each other and the capabilities of each member, and the essential work of the group was performed by unpaid members (volunteers). More importantly, these groups were taking on the power to define problems or goals for their communities; to create solutions or actions to achieve their goals; and to implement the solutions or actions. Tocqueville called these people citizens and noted that they were taking power by making power through community action. They were taking ownership and pride in their communities and assuming the responsibilities required to build their hometowns. NCF has adapted these concepts in how it works with and through its affiliated funds. NCF believes that only the citizens of a community know what it needs, and outsiders (government, organizations or even NCF) should only come if invited to assist but not to determine a plan of action. Asset Based Community Development stresses that a community has all it needs to thrive, including the physical assets but, more importantly, its people. Citizens, with their unique gifts and expertise, their willingness to give of their time and talents, and their ability to give financial resources when needed are the true assets of a community. These citizens need to be invited to become engaged as a community to build their hometowns. Leadership is organically developed and broadly distributed through these associations of engaged citizens. The Fund Advisory Committees (FAC) across Nebraska are NCF’s volunteer associations. The committees made up of dedicated volunteers have an overall view of the whole community, to look at what the community’s assets are, to dream about how to enhance and utilize these assets, to engage its citizens so that they offer their time and talents to better their community, and to collaborate with the other associations (including business, government and institutions) to move their community forward. Your local FAC is the 12-member volunteer group of the McCook Community Foundation Fund (an NCF affiliated fund) along with a coordinator. NCF also has volunteer committees in Southwest Nebraska including Stratton, Imperial and Grant. NCF recognizes that effective community development has three qualities: it is asset-based, internally-focused, and relationship-driven. Why is this work even more crucial than ever? Because in the past three decades, we have seen a transition away from engaged citizens belonging to volunteer associations to build their hometown to disengaged residents giving up their power and expecting paid service providers (mostly government and human service organizations) to provide the social, educational, cultural, health and economic needs of the community. The focus of abundance and asset-based communities can be explained as such: When people discover what they have, they find power. When people join together in new connections and relationships, they build power. When people become more productive together, they exercise their power to realize dreams. “This idea of co-creation is key to a satisfying life, which becomes possible when we join our neighbors to live and create a community that nurtures our family and makes us useful citizens.” John L. McKnight For more information about the McCook FAC, visit the website www.mccookfoundation.org . If you are ready to become an engaged citizen, check out some of the local groups listed on the McCook Volunteers page of the website. If you are interested in being a member of the MCFF FAC, contact any FAC member or the coordinator, Ronda Graff. Let’s work together to build a great hometown and make McCook a better place to call home. *** Although technically retired, Peggy Been serves as the secretary for the McCook Community Foundation Fund and is busier than ever by volunteering at St. Patrick Elementary cafeteria and caring for her dad and her grandchildren.
Two projects for McCook youth highlight the community's history as well as choices that affect their future.
Communities needs jobs and houses but we also need places that young people and families want to live and community leaders are doing one project at a time, especially to get recent graduates to move back home.
