Chest surpasses goal in record-breaking year
By Melinda L. Lucas
There were times when it looked as though the Albany Chest wouldn’t come anywhere close to its 2024 goal, but donations flooded in at the end of the year, surging past the $48,000 goal and reaching what was possibly a record year with $53,310.75 in collections since October.
Chest directors met last week on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and handed out almost $56,000 to 25 applicants, including the Albany Band Boosters, who recently submitted a request for help funding the 2025 spring trip.
Board members approved an extra $250 for each of the other original 24 applicants over the amount recommended in October. Initially, the directors had assigned a total of $47,700 in awards, even though requests were well over $50,000.
According to the Chest by-laws, each organization is limited to a $3,000 request.
“There are a couple of exceptions that go over that limit, because those organizations have specific projects that they are trying to get accomplished, and the directors are allowed to make those exceptions where they deem they are needed,” said board president Jana Kitchens. “We are so blessed to be able to make that kind of decision. Instead of having to cut our initial recommendations, we could fund these organizations the way they deserve to be funded.”
The Chest board tries to keep a reserve of at least $3,000 to $5,000 for any organization needing assistance for unexpected needs or expenses during the year.
“I don’t even know how to say thank you,” Kitchens said. “It’s just remarkable that a community the size of Albany can raise this kind of money. I’m always amazed, and I hope that doesn’t change in the future. I expect Albany to always be remarkable.”
2025 Allocations
Board treasurer Kalico Leech is already working to allocate Chest monies to the 25 different organizations that were approved for funding, including the following:
The 25 requests that were approved by the board last fall include the Albany Academic Booster Club $3,250, Albany Cub Scouts $1,250, Albany Volunteer Fire Department $4,850, Albany FCCLA $950, Albany FFA $2,250, Albany Girls Softball Association $1,750, Albany Little League $2,250, Albany PTO $2,250, Albany’s Cause for Paws $2,250, Closet Angels $1,250, and First Love Day Care $2,250.
Also the GED program $900, MMPC Mother’s Day Out, $2,250 Nancy Smith Elementary Awards $1,750, The Local Exchange $1,250, Project Graduation $2,250, ResourceCare Day Camp $3,250, ResourceCare Vittles by Vehicle $3,250, Rural Fire Department $2,250, Senior Citizens Activity Center $3,250, Shackelford County 4-H $1,750, Shackelford County Library/Study Club $3,250, The Feed Store $3,250, and West Texas Rehab $500.
In addition, a recent request letter was received from the Albany Band Boosters, who are working to fund the Albany High School band’s spring trip to Dallas. That request was fulfilled in the amount of $2,000.
The Albany Chest fundraising drive officially ended on Dec. 31, but donations are accepted throughout the year in order to be able to give for unexpected needs, as well as be ahead of the game for the 2025 fundraising campaign.
Contributions can be given to Robert Dacus at Clear Fork Bank or Jana Kitchens at First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 3263, Albany TX 76430.
