Albany Chest passes halfway point to goal

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest fund continues to move closer to its goal of $47,000 for 2022.

As of Tuesday, Dec. 6, the fund stood at $25,998, still about $21,000 under where it needs to be by the end of this month.

The Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants range from programs serving school children through senior citizens, covering activities from education to athletic programs.

Chest directors feel that the 24 beneficiaries touch every single Albany citizen in some way. Here is a look at some of the applicants.

Cub Mart

Cub Mart, a student rewards program at Nancy Smith Elementary School,  highlights student achievements such as honor roll, perfect attendance, character traits, and other school activities at the end of each six weeks.

“Our hope is to use physical rewards and additional activities like snow cones, town gift cards, and other incentives to continue to promote academic success at Nancy Smith Elementary,” principal John Gallagher said.

The school is requesting $1,500 for the program.

“We look forward to continued success at Nancy Smith Elementary with the use of incentive rewards and activities throughout the year,” Gallagher said.

Project Graduation

Since 1988, Project Graduation has provided Albany High School seniors with a safe alternative for celebrating graduation.

The alcohol-, drug- and chemical-free graduation party was started by the Albany Drug Task Force.

“The entire night is free to all 34 members of the graduating class in order to reward them for their years of hard work and to encourage maximum participation,” Project Graduation coordinator Amanda Tabor said. “All costs are covered by fundraisers the Class of 2023 participates in and by tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses in our community.”

Project Graduation is seeking $1,000.

“Continued support from the community and friends of Albany High School will complete the efforts to provide a fun-filled night for the students,” Tabor said.

ResourceCare

ResourceCare has served Shackelford County since 1994, providing health care as well as outreach programs for those in need.

The organization is seeking contributions for three of its programs – ­ASPIRE, Summer Day Camp and Vittles by Vehicles, according to ResourceCare program director Mindy Ary.

ASPIRE

APIRE, the After School Program Initiating Reinforcement in Education, currently serves 18 third and fourth grade students at Nancy Smith Elementary School. The program focuses on completing homework with an emphasis on overall improvement and a child’s attitude about learning.

“This is a free program to students chosen by teachers and counselors based on grades, test scores, and other barriers they might be facing at home,” Ary said. “We employ three teachers to run this program as well as provide daily snacks.”

Summer Day Camp

ResourceCare’s Summer Day Camp is offered free of charge each July to Shackelford County children from Pre-K through sixth grade.

“We believe this summer program is vital to the youth and families of Shackelford County,” Ary said. “We currently only receive funding from the Summer Food Program. We will be using some of our proceeds from CareFest to help cover the additional funding needed.”

The 2022 camp was cut short by COVID, but in 2021, 178 students were served 2,585 breakfast snacks and 2,625 lunches.

“This camp helps provide a safe place for kids during the summer while forming mentoring relationships, physical fitness, Bible School, jobs for youth and fun activities,” Ary said,

Vittles By Vehicles

Vittles By Vehicles has provided home-delivered meals three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to elderly and shut-ins in Shackelford County for more than 20 years.

The program currently serves 41 recipients, delivering 5,840 meals in 2021.

Local churches rotate monthly to provide volunteers to deliver meals. Those who are 60 or older, disabled or shut in due to medical condition are eligible for the program.

“Currently, we receive one grant to fund this program,” Ary said. “A substantial amount has to be raised as well as seeking out monthly/annual donations to help cover costs.”