Local ministries benefit from Chest

By Sam Waller

Twenty-eight organizations have applied for funding from the Albany Chest.

Groups ranging from pre-school to senior citizens have submitted requests totaling more than $56,000. The goal, however, has been set at $46,000, with a little over $10,000 contributed so far.

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

First Love Day Care

First Love Day Care is a self-contained organization located at First Baptist Church.

The program, which has been in operation for 26 years, is seeking $2,000 in funding.

First Love is Albany’s only five-day-a-week accredited day care facility. It provides a nondenominational Christian learning program for children in a clean, attractive, healthy environment.

Increasing costs for common necessities cause financial distress for the center. Without additional financial aid, the center will have to cut back its services or raise prices, according to director Joni Beaty.

Closet Angels

Closet Angels, which operates out of a building provided by Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, is seeking to obtain a dedicated cell phone for all calls relating to it and Neighbors in need, according to director Lori Reames.

Reames said she has used her personal phone for more than a decade. She said a dedicated phone would allow her and Neighbors in Need coordinator Clara Miller to handle communications for both ministries when one or the other is unavailable.

Any money left over would be used to hire cleaning help at Closet Angels once or twice a month.

Chelsey’s Project

Diaper Ministry

The ministry has helped provide baby necessities for families in the community for more than five years.

Director Bianca Sanchez said that in addition to diapers and wipes, baby items are accepted and distributed.

Among those helped have been single mothers, grandparents raising grandchildren, and foster parents.

“We help anyone in need and let them know we understand their situation,” Sanchez said.