New River recognizes NMCRS volunteers for selfless work

Photo By Cpl. Abigail Brown | Col. Jeffrey and Mrs. Diana Hewlett thank Dana Cronkhite, a volunteers with the New River Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, for her service during a NMCRS Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony, Oct. 4. Cronkhite reached her 100 volunteer hour marker and was awarded a tote bag and pin as a thank you for her service.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, UNITED STATES

10.11.2011

Story by Cpl. Abigail Brown 

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. – Marines and patrons aboard Marine Corps Air Station New River recognized Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society volunteers for putting the military community before themselves at a NMCRS Volunteer Awards and Recognition Ceremony, Oct. 4.

“You are busy people, but you give of your time,” said Col. Jeffrey Hewlett, the air station commanding officer. “This is my favorite organization aboard New River because you are so critical in helping young Marines through financial hardship.”

The NMCRS is a non-profit agency that provides financial and educational assistance to active duty and retired service members, their dependents, and widows or widowers of service members. Since the society is non-profit, it relies on the efforts of volunteers.

“Volunteers make this possible,” said Rita Fountain, director of the New River NMCRS. “We work off of donated funds, so we have to be wise stewards of donations.”

When patrons apply for help, they are assigned a case worker to guide them during the process.

“Everything we do is about educating,” said Heidi Hayes, a case worker and "Budget for Baby" instructor. “We want people to walk away learning so they can make better choices in the future.”

Another NMCRS resource for Marines to prepare for the future is the Budget for Baby class.

The class provides future parents with guidance on what to expect with expenses and lifestyle change and also gives them a head start on supplies with a gift bag.

After the baby is born, another part of NMCRS ensures a warm welcome by knitting and crocheting baby clothing. The group jokingly calls themselves, the "happy hookers," referring to crocheting being done with a hook.

“My husband was in the service, and I saw families in need with budgeting,” said Margret Slate, a blanket volunteer. “I enjoy helping out the military.”

Whatever their reason, the NMCRS and those across the air station who have been affected by the volunteers efforts appreciate their hard work.

“Thank you for the opportunity to work with the greatest organization, volunteers and staff in the world,” Slate said.

The ceremony concluded with a lunch where volunteers and advisory board members could mingle, something most of the volunteers enjoy about the society.

“It’s fun fellowshipping,” said volunteer Maryannie Staurt. “We get together and chatter while helping others.”

• Date Taken: 10.11.2011
• Date Posted: 10.11.2011 10:15
• Story ID: 78315
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, NC, US