Chest less than halfway to goal

By Sam Waller

The Albany Chest drew slightly closer to its fundraising goal of $47,000 over the past week.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 29, the fund had collected $16,047.61 for the 2022 campaign, up less than $500 from the last report two weeks ago.

“We’re hoping that this slow-down is just temporary, that donors were just busy during the Thanksgiving holiday,” said Chest board vice president Melinda Lucas. “Please consider giving sometime in the next month. We would really like to give the applicants what they need at the end of the 2022 campaign.”

The Albany Chest helps meet the needs of two dozen local organizations. Applicants for funds range from programs operated under the auspice of local churches to school activities, as well as organizations like the city and rural fire departments.

Here is a look at some of the 24 applicants.

Closet Angels

The Local Exchange

Closet Angels and The Local Exchange (formerly Neighbors In Need) have served Albany since 2010, providing clothing and furnishings for families in need.

While the projects are overseen by and receive some funding from Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, they have consolidated money from donations into one account for both.

The programs are asking for $1,000 to cover telephone service and to help purchase heaters, fans, and window unit air conditioners.

First Love Daycare

First Love Day Care, located at First Baptist Church, is Albany’s only five-day-a-week accredited daycare facility. It has provided a Christian, nondenominational learning program for 27 years.

Among services provided are school pickup, transportation to extracurricular activities, snacks, and nutritious lunches. The atmosphere includes artwork by the children and learning materials appropriate for each age level. Workers are trained to be alert to each child’s needs and to enable children to develop mentally and physically.

The program is seeking $2,000 to help cover expenses for the children and workers. The cost of common necessities such as food, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and other items continues to rise while the need does not lessen. Without additional financial aid, the center will have to cut back or raise prices, according to the application.

GED Program

The GED program provides adults instruction in math, language arts, social studies and science to help them achieve a high school-level education.

To obtain a GED, students must pass tests in each subject. Instructor Kenzie Fairchild is seeking $500 to pay for tests and practice tests.

A grant from the Texas Workforce Commission funds the cost of the classes.

Mother’s Day Out

Mother’s Day Out, offered by Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, offers twice-weekly child development for ages 1-5. Class curriculums promote cognitive, social, and spiritual growth in each child.

While class sizes fluctuate with the local child population, the program has grown tremendously in the past year to help accommodate the growing need for childcare.

The program, which relies on tuition for most of its funding, is requesting $2,000 to help cover general operating costs.