R 121856Z MAR 08
UNCLASSIFIED//
MARADIMN 173/08
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC CMC//
SUBJ/2008 NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY FUND DRIVE//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  AS THE 2008 ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF
THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY KICKS OFF, IT IS IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER THAT THE SOCIETY IS AVAILABLE 24/7 TO HELP WITH UNEXPECTED
NEEDS AND PERSONAL EMERGENCIES.  ACTIVE DUTY MARINES ARE 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 2007, THE SOCIETY DISBURSED $43.6 MILLION IN MORE THAN
45,500 FINANCIAL RELIEF CASES - UP ABOUT 15 PERCENT FROM THE
PREVIOUS YEAR.  THAT SUPPORT INCLUDED $1.5 MILLION IN COMBAT
CASUALTY ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 1,035 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, PAID MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND
OTHER MONTHLY BILLS WHEN SPOUSES HAD TO TERMINATE EMPLOYMENT TO CARE
FOR THEIR COMBAT-INJURED LOVED ONES, AND DEFRAYED COSTS AND HELPED
PROTECT THE FUTURE OF WIDOWS AND CHILDREN BY PROVIDING FINANCIAL
SUPPORT TO ENABLE THEM TO ATTEND COLLEGE.  DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE
SOCIETY HIRED EIGHT ADDITIONAL FULL-TIME VISITING NURSES TO ASSIST
SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES DEAL WITH COMBAT CASUALTY ISSUES.
THESE REGISTERED NURSES PROVIDE LONG TERM CASE MANAGEMENT FOR THIS
SPECIAL CATEGORY OF SOCIETY CLIENT - MAKING FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT
WITH INJURED MARINES AND SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHILE THEY
ARE BEING TREATED IN MILITARY MEDICAL FACILITIES AND REMAINING IN
CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT FOLLOWING THEIR DISCHARGE.  THIS PAST
JANUARY, THE SOCIETY ROLLED OUT THEIR QUICK ASSIST LOAN TO ALL OF
THE SOCIETY'S FULL SERVICE OFFICES.  THE QUICK ASSIST LOAN IS AN
INTEREST-FREE LOAN OF UP TO $300 - IN AS LITTLE AS 15 MINUTES - TO
HELP WITH EMERGENCY NEEDS FOR BASIC LIVING EXPENSES.
3.  LAST YEAR'S ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE GENERATED $10.4 MILLION.
RETIRED MARINES AND SAILORS CONTRIBUTED AN ADDITIONAL $2.4 MILLION.
WITH COMMAND LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL ATTENTION, THIS YEAR WILL BE
EQUALLY SUCCESSFUL.  THE KEYS TO SUCCESS ARE A UNITED, VISIBLE
COMMITMENT FROM COMMAND LEADERSHIP AND SOLID EFFORT THROUGHOUT THE
CHAIN OF COMMAND.  THE GOAL IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY MARINE ASSIGNED
TO EVERY UNIT IS CONTACTED AND AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A
DONATION TO THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY.  MARINE CORPS AND
NAVY FAMILIES DESERVE NOTHING LESS.
4.  ALL MARINES CAN BE PROUD THAT 100 PERCENT OF THEIR CHARITABLE
TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TRANSLATES INTO FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR
FELLOW MARINES AND SAILORS.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS
YEAR'S ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE.  REMEMBER, THIS IS HOW MARINES TAKE
CARE OF MARINES. 
5.  RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY LTGEN R. S. KRAMLICH, DIRECTOR, MARINE
CORPS STAFF.//