$7,000 still needed for year-end Chest push
By Kathy Thomson
The annual Albany Chest campaign is nearing the Dec. 31 deadline, and although donations slowed to a crawl in early December, after a recent surge, the drive is now within $7,000 of reaching the goal of $42,000 set by directors for the 2019 campaign.
“Reminder postcards were mailed out last Friday, Dec. 13, to people who have donated to the Albany Chest in the past, but hadn’t yet donated this year,” said 2019 chair Amy Kelly. “Our hope is that these will serve as a quick reminder to include the Albany Chest in their year-end giving.”
Over $9,000 was donated during the last week, raising the total to $35,170 as of Tuesday afternoon, according to treasurer Paige Adair.
Twenty-four different organizations, including one new applicant, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.
“The Albany Chest is proud to serve a wide range of organizations and programs and each one of these plays an important role in our community,” said Kelly.
During the campaign, a brief look is taken at a few of the benefitting organizations in various issues of The Albany News in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
Shackelford 4-H
Currently there are about 30 county youth and six adult volunteers involved in 4-H, according to Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Painter.
“I plan on upping those numbers this year,” said Painter. “That is one of my goals!”
Jeannie Balliew submitted the request for $1,500 for the Shackelford County 4-H organization since the extension agent position was still vacant when the applications were due.
The amount requested will be used to help defray the costs of activities and events sponsored locally, as well as expenses associated with attending various district and state 4-H activities.
“These funds would also be used to help maintain and purchase equipment and supplies to support 4-H project areas,” Balliew added.
Membership in the club is open to kids from third through 12th grade.
Last weekend’s 4-H Christmas party was attended by nine 4-H’ers and their siblings. The group gave 18 new blankets to the Resource Center, according to adult volunteer Kristie Smith.
Stepping Stones
Stepping Stones Christian School has been in Albany for over 40 years. This is only the second time the organization has requested funding from the Community Chest.
“This school has given hundreds of Albany children the early childhood education needed to give them a successful start in their school career,” said director Ginny Ivy. “Its reputation is stellar throughout the community.”
The Christian based private preschool for three and four year old children loses between $3,000 to $5,000 each year, according to Ivy.
“We have recently become a 501(c)3 organization and respectfully ask for consideration in helping us close that gap,” said Ivy. “Stepping Stones is an important entity in Albany, and we appreciate any amount the Albany Chest could give.”
Stepping Stones has asked for $1,500.
Youth Softball
The Albany Youth Softball Association has requested $1,500 in funding from the Community Chest this year.
“Our program helps cover the cost of umpires, game balls, uniforms, equipment and field game/practice supplies,” said association secretary/treasurer Brian Holson. “AYSA funds are also used to help with player registration fees. No child, underprivileged or otherwise, is denied the opportunity to be involved.”
Albany Volunteer
Fire Dept.
The Albany Volunteer Fire Department was started in 1884, and to this day they are still an all volunteer organization, according to fire chief Kyle Tischler.
The AVFD provides fire protection and emergency services to all of Shackelford County, and they are requesting funding in the amount of $3,500.
“The AVFD is needing to replace tires on one of our engines,” said Tischler. “The tires will cost $6,500 to $7,000 to replace. We would appreciate the assistance with this, so we may travel safely to and from calls.”
The VFD receives a small operating budget from the City of Albany. The amount requested from the Chest is 50 percent of the organization’s annual budget.
Chelsey’s Project
Chelsey’s Project Diaper Ministry is a non-profit that was started six years ago by Blanca Sanchez to help meet a need she witnessed in the community.
“Chelsey’s Project Diaper Ministry has been helping the Albany community with diapers and wipes,” Sanchez said. “Families that are struggling to provide for their babies benefit. This project has blessed so many, including single moms, grandparents raising grandkids, and parents that have lost jobs and are waiting to get their first paycheck.”
Chelsey’s Project helps families in need with diapers, wipes, baby formula, and sometimes also provides adult diapers.
Sanchez gladly accepts donations of diapers of any size and any brand.
The diapers are sorted by size, and bar codes are scratched out before the diapers are given to people who need them.
Sanchez requested that the Albany Chest consider making a donation to the local diaper ministry again this year, but did not specify a dollar amount.
“This project does not turn anyone down who is in need,” said Sanchez. “The funding (we have received from the Chest in the past) has blessed so many in our community.”
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.
“We will meet on Jan. 8 to determine disbursement of the donations received,” said Kelly. “If donations fall short, we will most likely fund applicants at a lower amount overall. But that will be a decision made by the board at that time.”
Contributions to the Chest can be given to Paige Adair at First National Bank or Jana Kitchens at First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.
