UNCLAS
212125Z FEB 07
CMC WASHINGTON DC(UC)
TO AL ALMAR(UC)
ALMAR 012/07
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/07 ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE SUPPORT
/FOR THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. BEGINNING ON 1 MARCH 2007, ACTIVE DUTY MARINES WILL
BE ENCOURAGED TO GIVE GENEROUSLY TO THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF
SOCIETY DURING THE ANNUAL CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS.  THIS RELIEF
ORGANIZATION, COMPRISED OF 3,400 VOLUNTEERS AND A SMALL PROFESSIONAL
STAFF, IS AVAILABLE 24/7 TO HELP WITH UNEXPECTED NEEDS AND PERSONAL
EMERGENCIES.  THE SOCIETY IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT DURING THIS PERIOD OF
HIGH TEMPO COMBAT OPERATIONS AND DESERVES OUR FULL SUPPORT.  SINCE ITS
FOUNDING IN 1904, THE SOCIETY HAS HELPED MORE THAN FOUR MILLION MARINES
AND SAILORS, PROVIDING MORE THAN $1.1 BILLION IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS
AND GRANTS.
2.  DURING 2006, THE SOCIETY DISBURSED $37.8 MILLION IN MORE THAN 38,500
RELIEF CASES.  THAT SUPPORT INCLUDED $1.2 MILLION IN COMBAT CASUALTY
ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 778 MARINE CORPS AND NAVY FAMILIES.
THE SOCIETY SUPPORTED BEDSIDE VISITS AND REUNITED FAMILY MEMBERS WITH
INJURED MARINES AND SAILORS UNDERGOING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION AT
MILITARY HOSPITALS.  IT PAID MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND OTHER MONTHLY BILLS
WHEN SPOUSES HAD TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT TO CARE FOR THEIR
COMBAT-INJURED LOVED ONES.  IT DEFRAYED COSTS AND HELPED PROTECT THE
FUTURE OF WIDOWS AND CHILDREN BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ENABLE
THEM TO ATTEND COLLEGE.  THE SOCIETY WAS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING
$1.37 MILLION IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NEARLY 1,700 MARINE CORPS AND
NAVY CLIENTS VICTIMIZED BY THE PREDATORY LENDING INDUSTRY.
3.  SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NAVY-MARINE
CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY HAVE CONTINUED TO GROW EACH YEAR.  LAST YEAR'S
ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE WAS UNPRECEDENTED, GENERATING $10.7 MILLION.
RETIRED MARINES AND SAILORS CONTRIBUTED AN ADDITIONAL $2.2 MILLION.
I KNOW THAT WITH YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL ATTENTION, THAT
THIS YEAR WILL BE EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL.  THE KEYS TO THAT SUCCESS ARE A
UNITED, VISIBLE COMMITMENT FROM COMMAND LEADERSHIP AND SOLID EFFORT
THROUGHOUT THE CHAIN OF COMMAND.  OUR MARINE CORPS AND NAVY FAMILY
DESERVES NOTHING LESS.  YOU CAN BE PROUD THAT 100 PERCENT OF YOUR
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION WILL TRANSLATE INTO FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR YOUR
FELLOW MARINES AND SAILORS.  PLEASE ENSURE THAT EVERYONE UNDER YOUR
COMMAND UNDERSTANDS THAT THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY IS 100
PERCENT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
4.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT OF THIS YEAR'S ACTIVE DUTY FUND
DRIVE.  REMEMBER, YOUR GOAL SHOULD BE TO ENSURE THAT EVERY MARINE
ASSIGNED TO EVERY UNIT HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE
NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY.  THIS IS HOW MARINES TAKE CARE OF
MARINES. 
5.  SEMPER FIDELIS!  JAMES T. CONWAY, GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS,
COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS.//