Big Give benefits community causes

McCOOK, Neb. – With the 9th annual Southwest Nebraska Big Give just a few days away, it is time to the profile the final few organizations participating in the one-day of giving event on Thursday, Nov. 7.

These organizations provide the funds to help the organizations or communities they serve and are looking for the public’s support on Nov. 7 from midnight to midnight both online or at in-person giving stations.

For starters, the Southwest Nebraska Big Give wouldn’t even exist if not for this first organization, the McCook Community Chest. The Community Chest organizes and coordinates the Big Give, overseeing everything from maintaining the website at swnebiggive.org to gathering the sponsorship dollars, which provides the matching dollars for all the other organizations. The Community Chest is a group of volunteers, who give of their time all year long to make the one-day of giving such a success year after year. Donations to the Community Chest help several of the original members including the YMCA and Mid-Nebraska Community Action Partnership, as well as make sure that the Big Give continues into the future.

The McCook Community Chest is one of the subaccounts of the McCook Community Foundation Fund. MCFF provides grants twice a year throughout the community for charitable and impactful projects. MCFF also serves as a convener, communicator and collaborator in the community for such as programs as McCook Connects for newcomers, the McCook Philanthropy Council and Third Thursdays.

The Community Hospital Health Foundation also plays a critical role in those projects, as well as a primary financial partner with Community Hospital in McCook. If a project is happening in McCook or Southwest Nebraska, Community Hospital is likely in the lead or involved.

Other McCook foundations participating in the Big Give include the McCook College Foundation, which provides financial assistance for McCook Community College, Nebraska’s oldest two-year community college; and the McCook Education Foundation, which provides funds to McCook Public Schools to enhance and support educational opportunities.

Another long-term participant in the Big Give is Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation, which supports the Hillcrest Nursing Home and its residents and provides a vital and much-needed service for McCook and Southwest Nebraska.

And the foundations and organizations are not limited to McCook, but rather represent all of Southwest Nebraska. The Tri Valley Medical Foundation provides financial support for Tri Valley Health System in Cambridge. The Cambridge Main Street is working to restore the faded signage throughout Cambridge.

The Southeast Public Schools Foundation returns to the Big Give with the purpose of raising funds for the Southwest Public Schools located in Bartley.

And representing to the west of McCook is the Haigler Community Foundation, serving the most southwest community in Nebraska and the Stratton Community Foundation Fund, another affiliated fund with the Nebraska Community Foundation.

The Southwest Nebraska Big Give is made possible because of generous sponsors, which provide funds to match donations during the power hours throughout the day, as well as overall donations. including Graff Charitable Foundation and MNB Bank and Community Hospital and First Interstate Bank and many more.

For more information about any of the nonprofit organizations in the Big Give, a donation form to be ready at the in-person giving stations or the full list of power hours, visit the website at swnebiggive.org.