Local agencies benefit from increased giving

Harold Beebe of McCook makes his donation at one of several giving sites during Thursday’s Big Give McCook.

McCook, Neb. - Big Give McCook is a group effort, from those who organize it, to those who promote it, from those who sponsor it to those who donate to the 24-hour giving event.

In the end, everyone pulling together is what makes Big Give McCook a success. And the 2019 Big Give McCook on Thursday was more successful than ever.

At the end of 24 hours of giving, more than $97,000 made it onto the tally board, which includes $8,000 in matching “Power Hour” funds.

But with additional matching bonus funds, the total will be closer to $145,000 to be divided among the 29 local non-profit organizations, according to Melissa Stritt, co-organizer of Big Give McCook.

Those bonus funds are possible because of generous local sponsors, including MNB Bank, MNB Insurance, MNB Financial Services, The Graff Charitable Foundation, Great Western Bank and Community Hospital.

The best part is that all those dollars stay local, benefitting the local non-profit organizations.

Big Give McCook is coordinated by the Community Chest, which serves 10 local agencies and consists of dedicated volunteers, led by co-coordinators Lisa Felker and Melissa Stritt..

Community Chest created Big Give McCook four years ago as a way to pool funds for not only the Community Chest agencies but also over the years, more and more non-profits in Southwest Nebraska.

The day wouldn’t be possible without the locations which served as in-person giving stations, including Pinnacle Bank, Horizon Bank, Great Weatern Bank, First Central Bank, MNB Bank, Community Hospital, Hillcrest Nursing Home, and YMCA, which staffed a table for 17 of the 24 hours.

Support from the community also extends to many local businesses, including Hometown Family Radio, High Plains Radio and the McCook Gazette.

And finally, Big Give McCook simply wouldn’t be possible without all the individual donors. More than 700 donations were made this year, up from 650 last year. The donations ranged from $1 to four figures. New this year were numerous donations from IRA accounts as well as gifts of grains.

“We are so appreciative of the support from the community,” Felker said. “When it’s all said and done, both the total number of donors as well as the total donations will make 2019 the biggest year ever.”

And as the final numbers are tabulated and finalized, Community Chest organizers are already making plans for the 2020 Big Give and created another great event.

Community Chest is a sub-account of the McCook Community Foundation Fund, which an affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.