The Harpst Challenge
Members of the Challenge Team shown in the picture are, from left, Kathy Latta, Doug Skiles, Dale Dueland, Alice Harpst, Don Harpst, Ron Friehe and Linda Taylor. Other members of the Challenge Team were Sharleen Riemenschneider, Kay Flaska, Mark Graff, Gene Morris, Susan Harris Broomfield, Cheri Beckenhauer and Stan Goodwin.
Gene O. Morris/McCook
Daily Gazette photo
An exciting challenge was issued to all who have a warm place in their heart for McCook. Don and Alice Harpst challenged all who cherish McCook to contribute a combined total of $75,000 to the McCook Community Foundation Fund in the last half of 2007.
“We are very grateful to Andy and Geri Anderson for their wonderful gift to the McCook Community Foundation Fund,” the Harpsts said. “Now, it’s the community’s turn to join in support of this wonderful town and area.
If accomplished before the end of the year, Don and Alice agreed to donate an additional $25,000, increasing the total give in the campaign to $100,000.
Members of the McCook Community Foundation Fund advisory committee visited with members of the community, asking them to become Founders at the $1,000 level. The original Founders led the way, helping with the asks.
Harpst who was portraying Scrooge in McCook Community College Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol" at the time, put a fun twist in the campaign. He took on the role of Scrooge, with cap and scarf in hand. “Make Scrooge pay” became the theme of the campaign. Pictures of Scrooge and a founder accepting a check from a new founder were plentiful in the local media. Our generous community met and exceeded the goal and Scrooge had to pay!
All together the campaign produced over $137,800 in contributions. All but $4,000 of the challenge contributions were for an unrestricted endowment. This will allow interest from the gifts to be used, as needed, for the future needs of the community. "These are gifts which will keep giving forever," said the Harpsts.
Don and Alice returned to McCook in 1987 after careers in newspaper ownership, hospital and nursing home administration and speech therapy. In McCook, Don served as administrator of Hillcrest Nursing Home and Alice continued her work in speech therapy.
Don and Alice are active members of a number of McCook organizations, including the Southwest Nebraska Community Theater, the McCook Community Concert Association, the McCook Arts Council, the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and the Memorial United Methodist Church. They have five children and six grandchildren.
Don and Alice were the recipients of the 2007 Legacy Award from McCook Community Foundation Fund, given for their generous support of McCook and area organizations and activities.