Chest allocates $42,450 to 26 beneficiaries

After donations to the Albany Chest 2018 exceeded the $42,000 goal set by the directors in early October, members of the board met last week to finalize the allocations to 26 different organizations that requested help.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 9, the directors awarded a total of $42,450, which was $1,000 more than the recommended amount after the October session, but still less than the $50,000 that had actually been requested.

In spite of the increased awards, there is still some left in the account toward the start of the 2019 drive and for possible emergency needs during the year. 

“I think I speak for everyone on the Albany Chest board when I say that it is very uplifting to be part of such a generous community,” said board president Amy Kelly. “It’s so encouraging to see what we can do when we all work together for the common good.”

Distribution Decisions 

The record setting $42,000 goal was decided on in spite of the fact that the 2017 campaign was about $1,000 short of the $40,000 set last year.

The actual total of all the original requests received this year was $49,950, but that did not include amounts for three organizations that did not specify an amount on their applications.

A few of the applications were trimmed down because of the Chest’s policy that maximum awards be no more than $3,000 unless there are special circumstances. However,  since there actually are some special expenditures being planned by several of the applicants, some of the awards are over $3,000.

“We’re thankful to be able to provide funds to all of the organizations that filled out a request, even though we couldn’t give all of them everything they asked for,” said board vice president Donnie Lucas.

Reserve Funds

Kelly stated that the Chest board always keeps some money in reserve for emergency requests throughout the year.

“If a local organization needs funding for something that comes up on an emergency basis, contact me and we’ll do our best to help,” said Kelly.

As long as funds are available to fulfill the amounts sought by the applicants, and if the requests are within the Chest policy guidelines, board members will consider all needs, she said.

2018 Allocations

Board treasurer Paige Adair has already started allocating the Chest monies to 26 different organizations that were approved for funding last fall.

These include the following:

Albany 7 on 7 Football $250, Albany Boy Scouts $1,500, Albany Cub Scouts $1,500, Albany Volunteer Fire Department $3,550, Albany Flag Football $1,000, Albany Girls Softball Association $1,000, Albany Little League $1,500, Albany’s Cause for Paws $1,000, Chelsy’s Project (Diaper Ministry) $500, Cub Mart $1,500, First Love Day Care $2,000, GED Program $750, MMPC Mother’s Day Out $2,000.

Also Neighbors in Need (General) $500, Neighbors in Need (Bike Repair) $250, Project Graduation $1,000, Resource Care ASPIRE $2,000, Resource Care Day Camp $4,000, Resource Care Vittles by Vehicle $4,000, Shackelford County 4-H $1,500, Shackelford County Rural Fire Department $2,500, Shackelford County Library/Study Club $3,600, Stepping Stones Christian School $1,500, Texas High School Bass Association $300, Feed Store $3,000, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center $250.