Albany Chest total reaches $24,000
By Sandy Morris
There are three weeks left in the annual Albany Chest campaign, and although the drive is now more than halfway to the top of the “thermometer,” contributions are badly 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.
The total donated as of Tuesday, Dec. 15 was $23,935.
Even though donations have picked up in the last week, the gap between what has been received and what has been requested is still very wide, which will force the board to make difficult decisions, said Albany Chest president Amy Kelly.
These decisions may mean local organizations receive much less money than they requested.
“We are asking everyone in the community to donate whatever amount they can,” urged Kelly. “Almost everybody in Albany is touched by one of these organizations.”
Reminder postcards were mailed out on Tuesday, Dec. 15, to people who have previously donated to the Albany Chest in the past but haven’t donated this year.
In this week’s edition, three more organizations requesting assistance from the Albany Chest are spotlighted.
Mother’s Day Out
MMPC
The Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church Mother’s Day Out is a twice-a-week quality child development organization that provides a safe loving environment for children ages one to five years old.
Each class provides curriculum to promote cognitive, social, and spiritual growth in each child.
The goal of MDO is to provide each child with excellent early childhood education.
Because the MDO enrollment fluctuates with the number of children in Albany, the program relies on tuition to help fund the program.
MDO is currently serving 19-20 students and is requesting aid to help with its general operating costs.
Albany Softball
Association
The Albany Softball Association works to ensure that every child has the opportunity to play softball with the proper equipment in usable condition.
The ASA pays for necessary field expenses and travel fees for their roster of about 65 girls, as well as player insurance for the individual families who are unable to afford the additional cost.
The program conducts yearly fundraising events and is requesting funds to supplement any shortfall the organization may encounter.
Albany GED
The Albany GED program is part of the Abilene Adult Education program.
The program tutors local adults to help them earn their GED, which can boost their employment opportunities.
Albany GED has requested assistance to help pay exam costs.
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 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.
