Albany Chest applications due by Friday

By Donnie A. Lucas

This Friday is the deadline for organizations that plan to apply for 2023 funding from the Albany Chest.

Applications need to be finished and submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 30.

Board vice chair Melinda Lucas said Monday that a few applications had been received, but the board is expecting around two dozen, 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, and that’s fine, but please plan to get your paperwork to us by the end of the day tomorrow,” she said.

Last year, 25 organizations requested Chest monies.

Lucas also stressed that the amount being requested 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, Robert Dacus 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 board’s next 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 2022 campaign.

The directors will meet at 5:15 p.m. next Wednesday, Oct. 5 at the Feed Store to get this year’s drive officially underway.