Deadline set for Chest applications
By Donnie A. Lucas
Directors of the Albany Chest met on Wednesday, Aug. 31, to organize the 2022 fundraising drive, elect three board members, and vote on officers.
The deadline for organizations to turn in funding requests was set for Friday, Sept. 30, and the board’s next meeting will be held at The Feed Store on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 5:15 p.m. to evaluate the applications and decide on the fundraising target for the 2022 Chest drive.
Last year, a goal of $46,000 was set, with $50,751 raised and $51,050 distributed.
Applications will be available this week at First National Bank, First Financial Bank, and The Albany News, or can be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.
Board Elections
Directors who have been on the board for two consecutive three-year terms cycle off according to the Chest by-laws. Two of the three board members whose terms ended this month, Clint Chapman and Austin Sherwood, have served six years.
Jana Kitchens and Melinda Lucas have only served one term and were elected to another three years, along with new directors Jenny Scott and Tisha Wilkins.
Officer elections followed, with Kitchens reelected as chair, Lucas as vice chair and public relations officer, and Kalico Leech as treasurer.
Wilkins, who has served on the Chest board in the past, was elected as secretary. Chris Beard will again serve as parliamentarian.
Board members whose terms expire in 2023 are Beard, Daivis Gallagher, Mike Bean, and Robert Dacus.
Terms expiring in 2024 are those of Leech, Sara Wilson, Kristie Smith, and Tracy Sullivan.
Funding Requests
A request form is required to apply for funding, and asks for the same information as in previous years.
“Basically, the form just asks a few simple questions requiring brief answers, and then specifies exactly what information we need to make intelligent decisions about how much money to give each organization,” said Lucas.
Forms can be obtained at First National Bank, First Financial Bank, and The Albany News, or can be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.
“We just really hope to get all of the information in on time, so we can have it before our next meeting,” said Lucas. “If we don’t have the forms by the due date, there is a chance that organization may not get funded.”
All organizations wishing to receive an allocation from the Albany Chest must submit a written request to the Chest, Lucas emphasized.
All request letters must be returned to Kitchens at First Financial, Dacus at First National, or Lucas at the News office.
After all the requests have been reviewed at the next meeting, a goal will be set and the fundraising drive will get underway.
The board hopes to mail letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects soon after the Oct. 5 meeting to kick off the 2022 campaign.
