Andy and Geri Andersen had a passion for young people. So they turned that passion into a reality by creating an endowment with a focus on young people, with payouts to be distributed annually by a group of young people.
Their financial gift to the McCook Community Foundation Fund is intended to support causes and dreams that will benefit youth, which gives youth the opportunity to disperse annual grant funds and which encourages young people to come home to raise their own families. The Anderson’s financial support is how MCFF’s youth organization, Youth Change Reaction (YCR), came to be and which has led to the support of other youth programs in the community.
While I joined the MCFF Advisory Committee in 2018, I actually became involved in 2009 through my co-sponsorship of YCR, just one program for youth I am proud to be involved in and support.
As an educator for 35 years, my passion has always been the preparation of students for life after high school. My McCook High School students completed projects and job shadowing to expose them to the variety of careers and opportunities in Southwest Nebraska.
The latest effort to expose students to the potential in our community is a project called “Bison Days.” I am proud to serve on the Bison Days committee as well.
MCFF has financially supported “Bison Days” for the past two years and has set aside funds for this coming spring if the current pandemic allows us to proceed. This two-day program is for the entire McCook High School student body, teachers, and community members.
Through this program, students have the opportunity to take part in up to four courses that are not typically offered at McCook High School. This project is similar to college interim programs except in length and scope. The two days of classes allow students to find potential hobbies, explore career interests, and develop skills which don’t always have a place or a time in the regular classroom.
The goal of the project is to help students explore opportunities in the community and also to nurture relationships between students, community volunteers, and the McCook High School staff who are teaching the classes.
The program consists of partnering with 20-30 community members and businesses to help provide the instruction for the 90+ classes that are offered. The committee feels it is important to utilize local businesses and resources to provide students with more opportunities for real world connections within the community of McCook as well as showing students the future employment opportunities available here.
Some examples of classes run by community members and teachers are sewing, cooking, self-defense, home repair, donut making, archery, jelly making, quilting, Fantasy Sports, architectural drafting, and auto detailing. Last year’s popular classes included cooking classes, boater’s safety, ice fishing, prom hair styles, facial care and make up, jousting, and floral arranging.
The idea for Bison Days came from a similar project held at Cozad High School called “Maker Days.” The committee from Cozad joined us last year and toured our sites and offerings. As their tour guide, I enjoyed their positive comments about our community and the overall event. Videos documenting the past two years of Bison Days can be viewed on the McCook High School website.
Developing a sense of community has been a strong goal of McCook High School over the last few years and MCFF is proud to continue the legacy of Andy and Geri Anderson through financial support for these tremendous youth programs.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
