News Release
January 3, 2006
McCook Community Foundation Announces Jewell Gift
McCook Community Foundation announces the donation of real estate by the C.T. & Helen Jewell family. Through the generosity of C.T. and Helen Jewell’s children, a gift of real estate in McCook has been presented to the McCook Community Foundation in honor of their deceased parents. C.T. passed away in January 1992 and Helen in January 2005. The children include: Robert Jewell, Nancy Tarnutzer Jewell, Terry Jewell and Diane Jewell.
C.T. (Clifford) and Helen married in McCook on October 7, 1954. The family owned the Jewell Company and maintained close ties to the community following their move to Santa Barbara, California. Many may remember Helen from Cambridge, where she grew up or her interior design business in McCook, Green’s Drapery Shop. She was a pioneer, as one of the first business women in downtown McCook and founded the Quota Club for business women in the area.
C.T. was involved with numerous activities in McCook, especially the Elk’s Lodge where he served as Exalted Ruler. Upon moving to Santa Barbara, C.T. continued to utilize his talents as a developer and created buildings and shopping centers. He has been recognized for the LaHoya Center in Santa Maria that encouraged Hispanic business owners. Bob Jewell noted that, “C.T. loved building for the future. He enjoyed new findings and technology. C.T. had a computer and floppy disks at the very beginning of their development. C.T. embraced change, yet he and Helen had wonderful memories of their time in McCook. They would love to visit McCook and always spoke fondly of the people and places.”
Daughter Nancy Jewell Tarnutzer commented, “the Jewell children want to donate the real estate lots to honor our parents. We want C.T. and Helen to be rememberd as having given back to the community that had supported their individual business’s and supported them in combining two families into one. We children will never forget our wonderful experiences of growing up in McCook. We still cherish the friends that we made and still consider our McCook High School friends as lifelong friends”.
“McCook Community Foundation is honored to accept this gift of real estate from the Jewell family and will place the funds upon sale in our endowment fund,” according to Mark Graff, Chairman of McCook Community Foundation. Gifts to the community will be made annually from the interest during the annual Founders Event. “Ron Mousel, attorney for the Jewell family was instrumental in the process and we are grateful for his guidance in this gift,” commented Mr. Graff.
The lots are located on the Heritage Hills Golf Course and listed with Gateway Realty. For more information, please contact McCook Community Foundation at 308-345-5518 or foundation@mccookne.org.