Chest funds allocated
By Sandy Morris
Even though it looked as if the Albany Community Chest would fall short of its 2020 goal, donations poured in at the end of the year, surpassing the goal of $41,000 and closing out at $52,550.
Albany Chest board members met Wednesday, Jan. 13 and decided to proceed with the board’s original recommendations allocating $42,250 plus an extra $350 to each organization across the board for a total distribution amount of $51,000.
The Albany Chest still has a total of $2,657.59 in emergency funds remaining in reserves.
Albany Chest vice president Melinda Lucas said the board was pleasantly surprised at the last minute donations.
“The board was just blown away by the fact that we were $11,550 over at the end of such an unhinged year,” Lucas said. “It’s really not logical, but SO Albany.”
Distribution Decisions
At one point during the drive, the board was afraid the goal was not going to be met, and they would be forced to make difficult decisions on how the money would be distributed among the various organizations that had applied for support.
On Dec. 30, the board was still $5,000 short of its goal when donations started coming in and the board realized they would be able to fulfill all of the requests for funding.
Albany Chest president Amy Kelly said that it is easy to forget how many local organizations depend on the donations.
“Perhaps at one time or another, we have all taken for granted the financial support that is needed and received from so many generous individuals,” said Kelly.
She added that the directors are grateful for the community’s support each and every year.
“I hope that the overwhelming success of the 2020 campaign will serve as a reminder of the value we place in community endeavors,” Kelly said. “It is what brings us together and keeps us united.”
2020 Allocations
Board treasurer Paige Adair has already started allocating the Chest monies to 25 different organizations that were approved for funding last fall.
These include the following:
Albany 7 on 7 Football $600, Albany Boy Scouts $1,600, Albany Cub Scouts $1,850, Albany Volunteer Fire Department $3,350, Albany Flag Football $1,850, Albany Youth Softball Association $1,850, Albany Little League $1,850, Albany’s Cause for Paws $1,350, Chelsy’s Project (Diaper Ministry) $850, Cub Mart $1,850, First Love Day Care $2,350, GED Program $850, MMPC Mother’s Day Out $1,850.
Also Neighbors in Need $850, Project Graduation $1,350, Resource Care ASPIRE $1,850, Resource Care Day Camp $4,350, Resource Care Vittles by Vehicle $4,350, Shackelford County 4-H $1,850, Rural Fire Department $2,850, Senior Citizens Activity Center $2,350, Shackelford County Library/Study Club $3,350, Stepping Stones Christian School $1,850, Feed Store $3,350, and West Texas Rehabilitation Center $600.
