Albany Chest collections still very slow
By Sandy Morris
There is one month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign and many more contributions are needed in order to meet the 2020 fundraising goal of $41,000.
The goal was set by the directors at the start of the campaign after they reviewed the submitted funding requests from 25 organizations.
Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.
“This year has been challenging in many ways,” said Albany Chest president Amy Kelly. “I know we expected the fundraising campaign to be more challenging as well.”
Kelly added that while donations have been slow to come in this year, board members remain hopeful that the community will rally around the programs and activities that make the program stronger and bring residents together in so many special ways.
The total donated as of Tuesday, Nov. 24 was $13,645, which is still well under the amount needed to fund even half of the requested amounts.
“We truly appreciate the generosity of those who have already shown their support,” emphasized Kelly. “I want to take this opportunity to encourage more to give whatever you can because everyone benefits when we all pitch in.”
In each issue during the next few weeks, a brief look will be taken at two or three of the benefitting organizations in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.
ResourceCare
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is the acronym for the After School Program Initiating Reinforcement in Education.
“The ASPIRE program is being offered within the Nancy Smith Elementary School, and currently 18 third and fourth graders are enrolled in the program,” said ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary. “Aspire focuses on completing homework with an emphasis on both an improvement in grades and in the child’s overall attitude about learning.”
The program is free to students and they are chosen by their teachers and counselors based on grades, test scores, and other barriers they might be facing at home, according to Ary.
Ary states when school ended abruptly in March and children were faced with online learning, in addition to other barriers at home, students have had a harder time getting back on track with regard to learning.
The nonprofit program has been in place for 26 years, and has requested funding from the Chest to cover 23 percent of their projected budget needs for 2020.
Project Graduation
Project Graduation has become a yearly tradition started by the Albany Drug Task Force.
Project Graduation is an alcohol and drug-free graduation party for Albany’s senior class.
“The entire night is free to all 35 members of the graduating class as a reward for their years of hard work and to encourage maximum participation,” said Tisha Wilkins, Project Graduation coordinator. “All costs are covered by fundraisers and by tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses in our community.”
Shackelford 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, senior activities, and children’s story time.
“These monies will 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 librarian chairperson 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.
Donation Details
The Albany Chest board traditionally waits to see how the money comes in before setting the final allocations.
The fundraising drive will 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 given to Paige Adair at First National Bank or Keri Hebel at First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.
