With more than $47 million in global assistance donated to service members in 2009, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is a valuable resource to the military, and in 2010 it looks to expand on last year’s success.
The NMCRS began its 2010 active-duty fund drive March 1 to educate active duty military about its services and to collect donations to assist service members.
“With changing commands and new Marines aboard the air station, it is very important for us to educate Marines and sailors about the different components of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society,” said Jeanie Spies, director of MCAS Miramar NMCRS.
Last year’s fund drive raised over $191,000 in donations at MCAS Miramar.
“Last year was phenomenal and also a great success,” said Teri Cox, relief services assistant with MCAS Miramar NMCRS. “We have full command support and we hope to get a great response this year.”
In 2009, the NMCRS aboard MCAS Miramar provided over $1.4 million in aid to service members and their families.
“100 percent of the donations go directly to service members, retirees and their families,” said Cox. “We look to aid people with all of the resources that are available to them.”
The relief society provides assistance with basic living expenses such as gas, food, electricity and vehicle repairs and offers “Quick Assist Loans” to those who qualify, explained Spies.
The NMCRS also provides financial planning, pre-marital and family planning and can direct service members to resources that help with a variety of situations, added Spies.
“We urge service members to come down and see what we can do, even if you do not need financial assistance,” said Lisa T. Woods, chairman of volunteers with NMCRS.
The fund drive will continue through April 30 and representatives will be assigned to every squadron to reach out to Marines and sailors. For more information, visit the fund drive Web site at www.nmcrs.org.
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