Collections slow so far for Albany Chest drive
By Sandy Morris
& Lynsi Musselman
While a slow start was not necessarily unexpected, Albany Chest directors are concerned about this year’s progress so far toward the $41,000 goal.
“The campaign has been underway over a month, and as of Tuesday, collections were less than $7,500,” said board vice president Melinda Lucas. “We knew that it was probably going to be a tough year because of the pandemic and everything else that’s going on, but this may be a little worse than we thought.”
The $7,470 that has been donated is not even 20 percent of what is needed to fulfill the requests of local organizations that benefit the entire community in some way.
Twenty-five different organizations submitted applications for this year’s funding, all of which were considered and approved for funding by the board.
“We knew from the beginning that we wouldn’t be able to give as much as the actual total that was requested, because that’s well over $50,000,” said Lucas, “but we’d really like to help these organizations with their budgets as much as possible.”
Local residents are reminded that everyone is not expected to give large amounts.
“Every single one of these applicants is worthy, and every single one touches lives in Albany and Shackelford County,” said Lucas.
From now until the end of the campaign on Dec. 31, a brief look will be taken at several of the beneficiaries in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
Albany Flag Football and Albany 7-on-7
Albany Flag Football and the local FCA 7-on-7 League registered 100 kids from kindergarten to sixth grade to play for the 2020-2021 season.
The flag football league requested funds from the Albany Chest, to be allocated towards scholarships and for other league costs.
The 7-on-7 football league has requested funding to offset the required costs for 7-on-7.
“The money provided by the Albany Chest has gone to pay for the many discounts we offer families who need financial aid to play,” said Anthony Ceder, league president and coach.
Participants are asked to pay $60 per player in flag football, and in the FCA league, they are asked to pay $100.
“The league simply could not operate without the Chest funds because we would not be able to offer financial aid to families that cannot pay these fees,” Ceder said.
He added that any remaining funds that are received go towards helping pay officials, equipment, and field maintenance.
Ceder added that in addition to the flag football league, the 7-on-7 league requests funding.
The 7-on-7 league is not funded by the school district and is not a UIL sanctioned extra-curricular activity.
“I volu nteer to work with the students every summer to help prepare the players for football in the fall,” Ceder said.
The 7-on-7 league is now required to wear protective gear to play in tournaments, in light of concussion issues.
“Helmets required for each player will cost no less than $75 per student,” Ceder said. “The league also plays in several out-of-town tournaments that are an additional cost, and there are other equipment needs, as well as money for meals.”
Ceder said the program started six years ago.
Boy Scout Troop 255
The Albany Boy Scout Troop has requested funding from the Albany Chest and currently has five registered scouts and five adults.
The money would be used for both general operations and for a specific project.
“Our general operations pay for utilities, cleaning supplies, awards, camping supplies, adult leaders’ registration, training, and literature,” said representative Teri Lucas. “We also help pay for a boy to be in Scouting, and will help with his Scout shirt, patches for the shirt, and a Scout Handbook.”
The specific project the Scouts have in mind is for work on the outside of the new Scout Hut.
“We will put money in the BSA Building Fund for that and to start building up our account to help maintain our building,” said Lucas.
The Albany Boy Scout Troop is registered as a non-profit organization, and the requested funding is expected to cover 100 percent of the group’s annual operating costs.
Cub Scout Pack 255
The Albany Cub Scouts have also requested funds from the Chest this year.
According to Lucas, Pack 255 currently has 13 Scouts and four adults.
The requested funding would help pay for adult registration, leadership literature and training, and awards and activities for the Scouts.
“Activities include the Pinewood Derby Race, Blue and Gold Banquet, Christmas party, and the end-of-the-year party,” said Lucas. “We also have to pay for insurance on the new building. In addition, we help pay for a boy/girl to be in Scouts, help with getting them a shirt, patches for the Scout shirt, and a Scout handbook if the child’s family is unable to do so.”
This year, the non-profit is also requesting funding for a specific project.
“We will be sharing (with the Boy Scouts) the cost of putting money into the BSA Building Fund so that we can save to finish the outside work that still needs to be done on the Scout Hut, and to start building up the fund for any repairs that come up in the future,” said Lucas.
Shackelford
County 4-H
The Shackelford County 4-H program has been around for 112 years serving the youth in the county.
The 4-H program is requesting funds to help with costs of activities and events sponsored locally as well as expenses associated with attending various district and state 4-H activities.
Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter said the funds would also help maintain and purchase equipment and supplies to support 4-H projects.
“The students and volunteers work extremely hard to keep the programs active,” Painter explained.”
The activities that county youth participate in are food challenges and food show, livestock shows, teen leadership lab, District 4 round up, sewing clinics, horse club and clinics, fashion show, livestock judging, public speaking, junior leadership retreat, and archery.
Cause for Paws
Albany’s Cause for Paws has requested $1,000 from the Chest again this year.
“Now in existence for over 10 years, Albany’s Cause for Paws continues to strive to help families in Shackelford County spay/neuter cats and dogs in the community to keep the number of unwanted pets to a minimum,” said board member Lacey Anderson. “Our mission is to prevent strays, unnecessary euthanasias, and help animals live happy and healthy lives. In order to meet our mission and provide this service in our community, we rely on the generosity of individuals and businesses for support.”
The registered non-profit began in 2008.
“We rely fully on donations from the community and the Chest,” Anderson said.
Funding Drive
The Albany Chest board traditionally waits to see how the money comes in before setting the final allocations.
The fundraising drive will end on Dec. 31, and board members hope to distribute checks to the organizations soon after the first of the year.
Contributions to the Chest can be given to Paige Adair at First National Bank or Keri Hebel at First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.
