Chest recipients list needs

The annual Albany Chest campaign is underway, with directors setting a goal of $42,000 for the 2018 campaign. 

Twenty-six different organizations, including two new applicants, submitted requests for this year’s funding, all of which were considered by the board.

Local residents are reminded that everyone is not expected to give large amounts. 

“If we each give what we can, it is an attainable goal,” board vice president Donnie Lucas said. “The Chest continues to be a great way to support our community and the organizations who benefit our community so much.”

In each issue during the next few weeks, a brief look will be taken at two or three of the benefitting organizations in order to give prospective donors an idea of their activities.

Albany Volunteer 

Fire Dept.

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department was started in 1884 and to this day they are still an all volunteer organization, according to fire chief Kyle Tischler.

“The AVFD provides fire protection and emergency services to all of Shackelford County,” said Tischler. “We would like to request funding in the amount of $3,550 for the purpose of purchasing a six-inch intake valve with adapter for a fire engine. This will enable us to connect our fire engine to the fire hydrant and flow larger volumes of water, providing for much faster and more effective fire suppression.”

The cost of purchasing the valve, the adapter, and shipping is $3,550, according to the chief.

The VFD receives a small operating budget from the City of Albany. The amount requested from the Chest is 80 percent of the organization’s annual budget.

Albany 7 on 7

The summer sports program has requested $1,000 from the Community Chest.

The organization was organized four 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 organizers of the children’s flag football league have requested $2,000 from the Albany Chest to cover 25 percent of the league’s annual operating expenses.

There are four teams in each of three different age divisions, two sixth grade teams, and over 100 boys and girls in grades kindergarten through sixth grade who are competing in the league this year, according to league president Anthony Ceder.

Although participating children are asked to pay a fee to help cover the 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.

Albany Flag Football is a non-profit organization that was started in the fall of 2015.