Friday set as deadline for Chest applications

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2020 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 4.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that only a few applications had been received so far, and she emphasized that all organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request by the deadline.

“Typically, lots of applications come in at the last minute, but please remember that the board has to set the goal next week, so plan to get your paperwork to us by the end of the day tomorrow,” Lucas said. 

Last year, 26 organizations requested Chest monies, so quite a few applications are expected in the next 24 hours.

Lucas also stressed that the amount should not be more than $3,000.

The Chest by-laws allow the directors to exceed that amount in specific situations, but only when an organization has a one-time need and provides details about how the funding will be spent. 

Application forms can be obtained at First National Bank, First Financial Bank, and The Albany News, or by requesting an emailed form at news@thealbanynews.net.

The form asks a few questions with brief answers that specify the information needed to make decisions about how much money to give each organization.

The letters must be returned to Jana Kitchens at First Financial, Paige Adair at First National, or Lucas at the News office.

The forms can also be scanned and sent to news@thealbanynews.net.

The requests will be reviewed at the Oct. 9 meeting, and a goal will be set to get the fundraising drive underway.

The board hopes to mail letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects soon to kick off the 2019 campaign.

The directors will meet at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Feed Store to set the goal for this year’s drive.