Chest less than halfway to goal
By Sam Waller
There is less than a month left in the annual Albany Chest campaign, and many more contributions are needed in order to meet the 2021 fundraising goal of $46,000.
This year, more than two dozen groups ranging from pre-school to senior citizens have submitted requests totaling more than $56,000.
However, the goal was set at a more reasonable $46,000, with collections of $21,566 as of Monday afternoon’s deadline time.
Local residents are reminded that everyone is asked to give what they can, even if they cannot contribute large amounts.
“The last couple of years have been challenging in many ways,” said Albany Chest vice president Melinda Lucas. “Funding came in surprisingly fast last year, but it’s beem a little slower so far this year.”
She added that while donations have been slow to come in, 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.
“We truly appreciate the generosity of those who have already shown their support,” emphasized Viertel. “I want to take this opportunity to encourage more to give whatever you can because everyone benefits when we all pitch in.”
Donation Details
The 2021 drive ends 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 taken to First National Bank or First Financial Bank, or they can be mailed to Albany Chest, PO Box 2019, Albany TX 76430.
The News will attempt to look at two or three benefitting organizations each week to give donors an idea of their activities.
Boy Scout Troop 255
Cub Scout Pack 255
Boy Scouts of America remains the largest Scouting organization and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States.
Troop 255 has one active Scout and a Scout leader, a committee chairman and two committee members. Pack 255 has 13 Scouts and four adults.
The committee chairman and members can be the same for both the troop and pack, in which case they would pay just one fee.
Troop 255 is requesting $1,500, and Pack 255 is requesting $2,000 to cover general operations. The funds cover utilities, insurance, and supplies for the Scout building. Costs are split evenly between the troop and pack.
Troop 255 also pays for awards, camping supplies, adult leaders’ registration training, and literature. Pack 255 faces costs such as Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold Banquet, and a couple of parties.
Both troop and pack will pay for boys or girls to be in Scouts and offer assistance in purchasing uniform shirts, patches, and handbooks if necessary.
Albany 7-on-7 Football
The summer sports program has requested $1,000 from the Community Chest.
The organization was organized five years ago. It does not receive funding from the public school system and relies on fundraising to support the program, according to league president Anthony Ceder.
The amount requested from the Chest is expected to cover 100 percent of the program’s operating budget, according to Ceder.
Albany Flag Football
The Albany NFL Flag Football League has requested $2,000 from the Albany Chest to cover 50 percent of the league’s annual operating expenses.
There are four teams in each of three age divisions, and around 100 boys and girls kindergarten through sixth grade competed in the league this year, according to league president Anthony Ceder. The program started in 2014.
Although participating children are asked to pay a fee to help cover expenses, including uniforms and flags, it does not cover all of the costs, according to Ceder.
He added that some money is used to allow the league to give scholarships to children who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Shackelford Library
The Shackelford County Library was established in 1959 by the Albany Study Club, which donated the books and opened the library in a vacant room in the 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 Study Club member 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.
