Sehnert Challenge nearing goal

While spreading goodwill in the community, Dr. Bill Graves, aka Bob Hatchett, and Don Harpst, aka Scrooge, accept a $1,000 donation for the Sehnert Challenge from Youth Change Reaction, the youth group for the McCook Community Foundation Fund. Presenting the funds were, front from left, Lexi Hauxwell, Emily Loker, (back row) MCFF committee member Bill Graves, Dawson Bredvick, Candace Coleman, Harpst, Gabe Sehnert and YCR Sponsor Shelly Sehnert

Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. — Less than a year ago, the McCook Community Foundation Fund embarked on a fund-raising campaign, known as the Sehnert Challenge.

The goal was to raise $400,000 for MCFF’s unrestricted endowment. In return, MCFF would receive $200,000 in matching funds from Susan Sehnert Stuart, in honor of her parents, Walt and Jean Sehnert as well as the importance of arts and culture in McCook and Southwest Nebraska.

To date, the fund’s advisory committee, along with 30-plus volunteers, has raised more than $375,000 in donations and pledges and hope to reach their goal in the near future.

But what is even more exciting are the number of donors, who through their donation want to honor Walt and Jean’s impact on McCook or want to see arts and culture grow in our community or both.

One of the goals of the campaign was to get as many people involved as possible. To date, nearly 140 individuals, couples, families or organizations have contributed to the Sehnert Challenge.

And it is not just the usual suspects.

Recently, Youth Change Reaction, a group of 12 McCook High School students and the youth group for MCFF, decided that they also wanted to be part of the Sehnert Challenge. Consequently, they voted to make a $1,000 gift to the campaign from their grant allotment.

“The Sehnert family has done so much for arts and McCook,” YCR secretary Macy Hill said. “We wanted to add to the positive change and support of the arts and benefit the youth for positive change.”

She added, “We are hoping this challenge is bettering the community for generations to come.” Mark Graff, MCFF treasurer and YCR sponsor, said it is an example of kids looking toward the future, knowing that this donation will make an impact for generations to come.

“It is also a way for the YCR members to acknowledge how instrumental the Sehnert family has been in the development of youth in our community,” Graff said, specifically with Gabe Sehnert as YCR co-president and Shelly Sehnert as YCR sponsor at McCook High School.

Graff added, “They have taught our members not only about the spirit of giving, but about how youth can positively affect the lives of those in our community family.”

The Sehnert Challenge campaign celebrates Walt and Jean’s influence in arts and culture - especially music - in McCook and Southwest Nebraska over the past 60 years. The campaign also focuses on the hopes, the dreams and the ideas - big and small - within our community.

And with an additional $600,000 increase to the endowment, MCFF could soon be making more than $100,000 in grants every year - making those hopes and dreams come to fruition.

As the fund advisory committee wraps up the campaign, there are still several ways to be involved. One is by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Sehnert Challenge. All donations - both large and small - are welcome.

MCFF is also encouraging the public to contribute their ideas for McCook and Southwest Nebraska. An “idea tree” is on display in the lobby of Sehnert’s Bakery. Write down your ideas and “leave” them on the tree, with a list to be compiled on the MCFF website and available for future use.

For more information about the Sehnert Challenge, or any of the grants distributed by MCFF which is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, visit the MCFF website at mccookfoundation.org or info@mccookfoundation.org.