Chest goal set at $47,000

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Albany Chest campaign is off and running, with directors setting a 2022 goal of $47,000.

Twenty-five different organizations submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board during a meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

“The goal of the Albany Chest is to enhance the lives of Albany citizens through the money that is given to us,” said board president Jana Kitchens. “We do our best to place the money where it will benefit the most individuals across the broadest range of our population.”

Letters are currently being addressed to past and prospective donors, with plans for them to be in the mail next week.

“The Chest continues to be a great way to support our community and the organizations who benefit our community so much,” said board vice president Melinda Lucas. “We hope that everyone realizes how much these organizations need our support.”

She added that the actual amount of the 25 requests was more than $55,000, although one organization didn’t specify an amount.

After discussion, the board recommended setting the goal at $47,000.

Chest Beneficiaries

In Albany News articles from now until the end of the year, a brief look will be taken at benefitting organizations to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.

The Chest board urged local residents to take a close look at the list of organizations.

“We think you’ll see that most local citizens, if not all, are touched by or have benefitted from the activities of one or more of these groups,” Lucas said. “And there are also a large number of children involved.”

Funding Requests

All but one of the 25 organizations that were approved for funding this week have been on the list before, with the Albany High School FCCLA submitting a request for the first time.

Requests came from 7 on 7 Football, Albany Cub Scouts, Albany FCCLA, Albany Volunteer Fire Department, Albany Flag Football, Albany Youth Softball Association, Albany Little League, Albany’s Cause for Paws, Chelsey’s Project, Closet Angels, and First Love Day Care.

Also the GED program, MMPC Mother’s Day Out, Nancy Smith Elementary Awards, Project Graduation, ResourceCare ­ASPIRE, ResourceCare Day Camp, ResourceCare Vittles by Vehicle, Rural Fire Department,Senior Citizens Activity Center,  Shackelford County 4-H, Shackelford County Library/Study Club, Stepping Stones Christian School, The Feed Store, and West Texas Rehab.

The board’s award recommendations range from $250 to $5,000.

The Albany Chest board traditionally waits to see how the money comes in before setting the final allocations.

“We are hopeful that people will keep the Albany Chest in mind and donate early if they can,” Lucas concluded.

The Albany Chest fundraising drive will officially end on Dec. 31. Board members hope to distribute checks to the organizations soon after the first of the year.

Contributions can be given to Robert Dacus at First National Bank or Jana Kitchens at First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.