Chest total passes halfway mark
By Kathy Thomson
The annual Albany Chest campaign is well underway, and although one-half of the goal set for the 2019 campaign has been deposited in the account, another $19,010 is still needed before the end of the year in order to meet the target amount of $42,000.
According to Chest treasurer Paige Adair, $22,990 had been collected as of Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Local residents are reminded that not everyone is expected to give large amounts. Even donations of $5, $10, and $20 can add up quickly if everyone who can contribute will chip in and help fund the 24 different organizations that have requested funding from the Albany Chest this year.
During the next few weeks, a brief look will be taken at benefitting organizations in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
Albany Flag Football
The organizers of the children’s flag football league have requested $2,000 from the Albany Chest to cover 50 percent of the league’s annual operating expenses.
There are four teams in each of three different age divisions, and around 100 boys and girls in grades kindergarten through fifth grade competed in the league this year, according to league president Anthony Ceder.
Although participating children are asked to pay a fee to help cover the expenses, including uniforms and flags, it does not cover all of the costs, according to Ceder.
He added that some money is used to give scholarships to children who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Albany Flag Football was started in the fall of 2015. The 2019 season-ending Super Bowls took place last week.
Boy Scout Troop 255
The Albany Boy Scout Troop has requested $1,500 in funding from the Albany Chest. 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 Pack #255, have requested $1,500 from the Chest this year.
According to den mother Teri Lucas, Pack 255 currently has eight 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 costs 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.
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.
