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NORFOLK, Va. -- Navy and Marine Corps leaders from the Navy's mid-Atlantic region kicked off the annual Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society fund drive Feb. 22, at U.S. Fleet Forces Command's headquarters.
Adm. John C. Harvey, Jr., commander, USFF; Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; Rear Adm. David Dunaway, commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force, and Marine Lt. Col. Ronald E. Reeves, USMC Headquarters Service Battalion executive officer gathered to complete their contribution forms and lend their support to NMCRS, an organization that helps sailors and Marines in times of economic need.
"Once a year every sailor and Marine on the Navy Marine Corps team gets a chance to take care of their own. I have been in the Navy for almost 40 years and I have learned over those years how important the NMCRS drive is," said Harvey. "There are many circumstances that come up where sailor and Marines, along with their families, can get put in difficult situations, to no fault of their own. These are our shipmates that need our help and this is our opportunity to help them. I urge everyone to give generously; I have and I will continue to do so."
The society's mission is to provide - in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps - financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Service of the United States, their eligible family members and survivors.
"NMCRS is committed to ensuring that all available resources are used to assist personnel of the Naval Services - active, retired, and their eligible family members - to achieve financial self-sufficiency and find solutions to emergency needs. Without our generous charitable contributions each year, our Sailors, Marines, family members, and survivors would have one less program to assist them when in need," said Chief Master-At-Arms (SW) Shannan Richardson, USFF's NMCRS command representative.
Across the fleet in 2011, NMCRS helped more than 96,000 Sailors, Marines and families in need by providing more than $48 million in financial assistance. Last year's donations supported more than 51,000 quick assist loans, helped 12,500 Sailors and Marines with food, shelter, and other basic necessities, assisted approximately 4,500 with emergency leave travel, helped 1,800 families recovering from natural disasters, and supported more than 700 widows with health related issues and provided financial assistance to more than 450 wounded warriors and their families.
"NMCRS is not just for the service members but also helps support their families with other programs such as visiting nurses, budget-4-baby, and personal budgets," said Yeoman 1st Class (SW/AW) Monique Merjudio USFF's NMCRS assistant command representative.
The relief society couldn't accomplish these tasks without donations and the support of volunteers.
"NMCRS offers interest free loans, provides grants that you don't have to pay back, and most representatives are volunteers that are there to assist you with great educational advice," said Logistics Specialist 1st Class (EXW) Sacoyia Aiken, USFF NMCRS assistant command representative. "The case worker will do a complete budget and send the Sailor or Marine out on the right track."
A private, non-profit charitable organization, since 1904, the NMCRS has existed solely to support the active and retired communities of the naval service. Located ashore and afloat at nearly 250 offices around the world, the society is served by 3,500 dedicated, trained and caring volunteers, supported by a small cadre of paid employees.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 13:54 |
| Story ID: | 84576 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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