Albany Chest campaign only halfway to $46,000 goal
By Sam Waller
There are three weeks left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and contributions are badly needed in order to meet the 2021 fundraising goal of $46,000.
The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 26 organizations.
The total donated as of Tuesday, Dec. 7 was $23,464.
This year, more than two dozen groups covering pre-school to senior citizens and youth sports to community service have submitted requests.
Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.
Donation Details
The Albany Chest board traditionally waits to see how the money comes in before setting the final allocations.
The fundraising drive will officially 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 taken to either local bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.
The News is attempting to look at benefitting organization each week to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
County Library
The Shackelford County Library was established in 1959 by the Albany Study Club, which donated the books and opened the public library in a vacant room in the Shackelford County Courthouse.
Today the library is located at 402 N. 2nd St. and has expanded to include other resources as well as books. The library is used for various community activities including GED classes, club meetings, and children’s story time.
“These monies enable the library to participate in the Big Country Digital Consortium that subscribes to Overdrive, a company that provides access to audio books, music, and e-books for library patrons,” said Study Club member Janna Ledbetter.
In addition, the library would use requested funds toward the yearly fee to use the circulation program, Apollo, as well as to purchase books for children, youth, and adults.
City Fire Department
One of Albany’s oldest institutions, the Albany Volunteer Fire Department, has served the community for 137 years.
The department, which also receives funding from the City of Albany, is requesting $5,000. Last year, the department lost a brush truck used in fighting wildland fires.
“We have recently received a replacement truck from Texas Forestry Service,” fire chief Travis Gardenhire said. “We are requesting funds for an electronic monitor nozzle that gives our firefighters the ability to fight fires from inside the vehicle. This keeps our firefighters safer by placing them away from the heat and off the front of the brush truck.”
The brush truck is used to protect property within Albany and Shackelford County.
Mothers Day Out
Mothers Day Out is a twice-weekly quality child-development program that provides a safe, loving environment for children up to five years old.
The program, which is in its 11th year, is a ministry of Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church. It is requesting $2,000 to cover five percent of its budget.
“Each class provides curriculum to promote cognitive, social, and spiritual growth in each child,” program director Brandi Lehew said. “Our goal is to provide each child with excellent early childhood education. Unfortunately, our enrollment fluctuates with the child population in Albany.”
Lehew said the program relies on tuition for much of its funding. The request will aid in general operation.
Mothers Day Out is currently serving 24 children.
Cause For Paws
Cause for Paws, a 501(c)3 organization staffed by volunteers, has worked to promote animal health in the community for more than a decade. The program has requested $1,500.
“Our efforts have helped spay and neuter thousands of animals in Shackelford County, educate the public and help local veterinary clinics,” Lacey Anderson said. “We have spent over $100,000 since being founded. We fully rely on the community and Albany Chest to keep our dream alive and continue helping the community and the animals.”
